The Champions League is back at the Parc des Princes. And for this first match of the season in the competition, Slovan Bratislava are set to take on the capital club. The reigning Slovak champions have earned their place amongst Europe’s elite, having won three matches in the qualifying rounds: first against the Georgian side Iberia (0–2, 1–1), then against the Swedish side Mjällby (1–2, 2–0), before seeing off the Slovenian side Celje in the play-offs (1–1, 1–2).
For their part, Paris Saint-Germain got off to a flying start with their 2–1 victory over Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup, before suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat at Lens in the Trophée des Champions. Since then, the Rouge et Bleu have had a sluggish start to the league campaign, but have shown impressive mental strength to come from behind at Rennes (2–2) and then at Lille (2–2). Last week, Luis Enrique’s side suffered an undeserved defeat against Monaco (1–2), and there is no doubt they will be keen to bounce back in front of their home crowd at the Parc.
1 – Slovan Bratislava manager Yaya Touré is set to become the first African manager to compete in the Champions League. As a player, the Ivorian made 70 appearances in the competition and won the trophy in 2009 with Barcelona.
34 – Willian Pacho has played more minutes than any other player over the last two Champions League seasons (3,102), having started in all 34 matches played by Paris Saint-Germain in the competition during that period.
63 – Luis Enrique has won 63% of his matches as a manager in the Champions League (50 out of 79), which is the highest win percentage for a coach who has managed at least 50 matches in the competition.
In the Bratislava goal, Yaya Touré is likely to rely on Dominik Takac. The newly capped Slovak international is one of the key players in the Belasi’s starting eleven, and he is expected to be supported in front of him by the central defensive pairing of Kenan Bajric and Svetozar Markovic. Born in Paris, Guinean international Sahmkou Camara does not have much chance of staring, as with Austrian international Kevin Wimmer. On the right side of defence, César Blackman is one of the Slovak side’s most reliable players, and he is likely to be joined on the opposite flank by former Benfica player Sandro Cruz.
In midfield, Peter Pokorný is expected to take up the holding midfield role. Alongside him, the experienced Cristian Martínez is also tipped to start against the Parisians. It remains to be seen whether Rahim Ibrahim or Danylo Ignatenko will be favoured by the Bratislava coaching staff to complete Slovan’s midfield. The former is a more all-round player, whilst the Ukrainian international could provide greater defensive solidity. It is worth noting that Alen Mustafic and Daiki Matsuoka could make appearances from the bench in a part of the pitch where the Slovak champions certainly have plenty of options.
As for the attack, however, the Ivorian manager will have to cope with several absences, starting with that of Mykola Kukharevych. The Ukrainian giant (1.93m) picked up an injury during the Champions League qualifying rounds, whilst Alasana Yirajang could also miss the match following his substitution in the league last weekend.
But the Belasi should be able to count on Nino Marcelli on the right-wing, who ultimately stayed in Slovakia this summer and is one of Bratislava’s main threats. He is therefore likely to be preferred to Alexej Maros, whilst Tigran Barseghyan is expected to start on the left wing. The Armenian international (64 caps) has been involved in three goals in his last four Champions League appearances, and he too will be one to watch out for the Parisian defence. Finally, captain Andraz Sporar will start up front in an attack that will certainly not be short of talent.
