Bruges (Belgium) (AFP)
For the first time, the trio of star attackers Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé will begin together for Paris SG, in Bruges on Wednesday (9 p.m.) in the Champions League, according to the compositions announced by UEFA.
This is the first tenure as a Parisian of the "Pulga", recruited last August 10 by PSG after 21 successful years at FC Barcelona.
Until then, the six-time winner of the Golden Ball, considered one of the best footballers in history, has only played 25 minutes under his new colors, in Reims (2-0) in the Championship.
Alongside Neymar and Mbappé, he forms one of the most talented offensive tridents in the competition.
On the lawn of the Jan-Breydel stadium, PSG aligns an eleven close to its typical team, with recruits Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum present at kick-off.
Only the midfielder Marco Verratti (injured knee) and winger Angel di Maria (suspended) are missing.
In the cages, coach Mauricio Pochettino preferred Costa Rican Keylor Navas to Italian rookie Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The technician, who has not defined a N.1, has chosen to put the two international goalkeepers in competition this season.
Winners of their first five L1 matches, the Parisians hope to maintain their good momentum in Belgium, against an opponent they came to crush two years ago (5-0).
A success must also allow them to avoid a bad surprise in a raised group A, where Manchester City and RB Leipzig watch for the least of their failures.
Composition of the teams:
Bruges: Mignolet - Mata, Hendry, Nsoki, Sobol - Vanaken, Balenta, Rits - Lang, De Ketelaere, Sowah
PSG: Navas - Hakimi, Marquinhos (cap), Kimpembe, Diallo - Herrera, Paredes, Wijnaldum - Neymar, Messi, Mbappé
© 2021 AFP