PSG’s Ligue 1 team of the season, stalwarts rested yet well supported | OneFootball

Through an injury-affected campaign with heavier rotation, PSG still leaned on a spine close to last year’s while defending their league dominance. The notional league XI changed in three spots.

According to L'Équipe, Matveï Safonov, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia replaced Gianluigi Donnarumma, Fabian Ruiz and Bradley Barcola. Donnarumma departed last summer, Ruiz was hampered by injuries and rated below Zaïre-Emery, 4.92 to 5.41, while Barcola was edged by Kvaratskhelia, 5.14 to 5.25.

Competition in goal was fierce. Lucas Chevalier started the season and played 17 league games to Safonov’s 14, but the Russian delivered higher averages, 5.64 against 5.24, and was preferred for the late-season headliners.

Rotation also elevated usual deputies. Illia Zabarnyi logged far more league time than captain Marquinhos, 27 matches and 2,297 minutes to 12 and 869, although the Brazilian outscored the Ukrainian in Ligue 1 ratings, 5.20 to 4.85.

At left-back, Lucas Hernandez featured more than Nuno Mendes, 25 matches and 1,746 minutes to 20 and 1,250, yet Mendes’ form was decisive, 5.69 on average against 5.20.

Despite only receiving ratings in 10 league outings due to knocks and the 45-minute threshold, Ousmane Dembélé kept his place with a team-high 6.10 and retained the UNFP Ligue 1 player of the year award.

João Neves, Désiré Doué and Achraf Hakimi also stayed in the XI, while Willian Pacho and Vitinha maintained strong form.

Youngsters Renato Marin, Dimitri Lucea, Dro Fernandez, Mathis Jangéal, Quentin Njantou, Pierre Mounguengue and Noah Nsoki featured once in the title-winning campaign.

Source: L'Équipe