Toulouse vs. Paris Saint-Germain preview: Ousmane Dembélé to make debut as Kylian Mbappé returns | OneFootball

Ousmane Dembélé will be ready to return to Ligue 1 UberEats action for the first time since 2016, as Luis Enrique prepares for his first away match with PSG, buoyed by the return of Kylian Mbappé to the squad. They travel to Toulouse FC on Saturday evening (kick-off 9pm CEST).

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Paris Saint-Germain will be travelling to Coupe de France holders Toulouse FC hoping to get their title defence well-underway following a goalless draw last weekend at the Parc des Princes against a resolute Lorient side.

There were signs of progression under Luis Enrique’s newly established style of play at the club which was clear to see in the opening ten minutes with 97% possession from the home side. By the end of the match a record was broken for passes in a single Ligue 1 Uber Eats match (1001) - but it couldn't see last season’s champions create enough threatening chances.

Watch: PSG start title defence with goalless draw against Lorient

For their trip to Toulouse the Parisiens should have some reinforcements in their attacking department, with Kylian Mbappé returning to the PSG fold and new signing Ousmane Dembélé ready to make his debut for the club. The former Stade Rennais winger will be returning to action in the French top-flight for the first time in seven years after a spell in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, and in Spain at Barcelona.

According to manager Luis Enrique, the player is fit and firing, announcing that “Dembélé can start from the first minute,” during his press conference at PSG campus on Friday. Adding to this, the Spaniard also gave an update on the return of France captain Mbappé. “He is in perfect shape, full of desire and in good spirits. For a coach to have a player of his standard, I am delighted,” said Enrique, adding “It’s not just in playing terms but his personality. He is a top World Class player without any doubt.”

Evidently, the side from the French capital lead the way in the head to head record against Toulouse, winning 28 matches out of the 41 that have played between them. Meanwhile, Les Violets have won in eight of those encounters. Last season’s matches saw PSG narrowly win 2-1 at the Parc des Princes back in February, whilst the first fixture saw Les Parisiens dominate at the Toulouse FC Stadium with a 3-0 thanks to goals from Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Juan Bernat.

Watch: Toulouse late-show seals win against FC Nantes

Toulouse dramatically sealed a 2-1 win over FC Nantes in their opening Ligue 1 Uber Eats match with a goal from Rasmus Schmidt Nicolaison in injury time at Stade Beaujoire. It was a positive debut for TFC manager Carles Martinez Novell, who is familiar with Luis Enrique since their time at Barcelona.

"I've spoken with him a few times. I'm not sure if he remembers, but we have several mutual friends. Luis Enrique, for me, is one of the benchmarks because I love his coaching style, his way of conveying things,” said TFC’s Catalan coach.

Toulouse will be hoping to create an upset against PSG, but will have to do so without three long-term injured players: Ibrahim Cissoko, Naatan Skyttä (ankle), and Oliver Zandén (hip). However, Kevin Keben, who suffered a groin injury earlier this August, has recovered and is back to regular training, making himself available to the coach for the upcoming weekend.

Probable Teams

Toulouse: Restes; Costa, Nicolaisen, Diarra; Sierro, Casseres, Genreau; Aboukhlal, Dallinga, Suazo

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Škriniar, Hernández ; Zaïre-Emery, Ugarte, Vitinha; Asensio, Ramos, Dembélé

>>PSG: Dembélé to take Neymar's No.10

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