PSG likely lineup v Toulouse: Lionel Messi leads the line with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar absent | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain kick off a season-defining month with a squad that’s never looked more threadbare, with only Lionel Messi left standing from the team’s star frontline as they take on Toulouse this afternoon.

Although Neymar is expected back from his ankle injury treatment at the start of next week, Kylian Mbappé will be out of action for the next three weeks, missing the Champions League knockout first leg against Bayern Munich in just ten days.

Hugo Ekitike partners the World Cup winner while Carlos Soler gets another run-out as playmaker, while Christophe Galtier has to make do without the suspended Marco Verratti in midfield. Danilo Pereira slots into a centre-back role again in the absence of Sergio Ramos, while the team’s inexperienced albeit talented crop of youth prospects make up the bench – the manager will be praying for no more injury setbacks, with clashes against Monaco and Marseille to come this week.

Unlike the league leaders, Toulouse remain unbeaten in 2023, the free-scoring side led by midfielder Branco Van den Boomen enjoying a season resurgence. After a 4-1 win over Troyes in midweek, Philippe Montanier’s men will know that it’s now or never to take down a frail PSG and claim a statement result.

PSG likely XI v Toulouse:

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Danilo Pereira, Nuno Mendes – Fabián Ruiz, Renato Sanches, Vitinha – Carlos Soler – Hugo Ekitike, Lionel Messi.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin