Lighter PSG schedule may soothe legs but bring headaches | OneFootball

PSG could shed six fixtures by spring if they finish the Champions League’s opening phase in the top eight, easing legs but creating selection headaches. According to L'Équipe, victory at Sporting on Tuesday would be a significant step.

Fatigue stems from a gruelling 2024-25. Less than a week after resuming, they faced Tottenham in the Super Cup on 13 August, drawing 2-2 then winning 4-3 on penalties.

The sustained intensity of last season has not yet returned. Even Friday’s 3-0 win over Lille did not fully convince, and January’s xG across four games is 6.15, down from 11.70 a year earlier.

Monday’s 0-1 Coupe de France loss to neighbours PFC reduces the load. To avoid two Champions League play-off ties, after last season’s Brest wins, 3-0 and 7-0, they must deal with Sporting away, then Newcastle at home.

Two wins would guarantee the top eight, while a win and a draw should suffice. The margin is narrow, with PSG on 13 points, Liverpool on 12, and Newcastle and Sporting on 10.

A lighter diary will alter Luis Enrique’s rotation. The two AFCON finalists, Achraf Hakimi and Ibrahim Mbaye, are away, while Joao Neves, Lee Kang-in and Quentin Ndjantou are injured, and only Ndjantou is likely out for over a month.

Competition will stiffen when the group is whole, and the club aim to use the break for tactical and physical work. Warren Zaïre-Emery has started 23 in a row, often at right-back, an unmatched run under Enrique.

Source: L'Équipe