PSG to Strasbourg: Luis Enrique ready to field a third-string team in Ligue 1

Three days after their victory at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City in the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain return to Ligue 1 this Saturday at 17:15 for a trip to Strasbourg on Matchday 7.

Luis Enrique is unlikely to field the same eleven that started in England. As with the home match against Mans the previous week, the Spanish manager plans significant rotation. A likely lineup sees Safonov in goal, with Zaïre-Emery, Zabarnyi, Hernandez or Pacho and Digne in defence, Neves, Beraldo and Dro or Ruiz in midfield, and Godts or Akliouche, Torres and Kvaratskhelia in attack. On the Alsatian side, Strasbourg are expected to rely on Jorgensen in goal, a defence made up of Antwi, Mitchell, Coulibaly and Oso, and an attacking sector led by Yassine, Reyna, Baldé and Ortega.

This squad management has become routine for Luis Enrique in the league. Except for big matches — such as the Classique against Olympique de Marseille — the Paris manager never fields his first team in Ligue 1.

This policy is attracting growing criticism. French international footballer Charlotte Lorgeré was particularly harsh: “The PSG team fielded against Mans was a disgrace! It wasn’t a B team, it was a C team. You can’t put so many out-of-form players lacking confidence against a promoted side, but one that’s had a great start to the season.” Comments that sum up the question many observers are asking: how far can Luis Enrique go with rotating his squad in Ligue 1 without taking risks?