What a difference just one season can make.
Last term, PSG vs. Monaco was billed as one of Ligue 1's highlight clashes due to the latter's sudden rise from Ligue 2 to make a huge splash in French football's top flight. Bankrolled by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, the Monégasque club hoped to reestablish themselves as a serious contender first in France, and then, naturally in Europe.
However, this summer has seen several of their key players jump ship, not convinced by the team's project and also a change on the manager's bench. Experienced Italian tactician Claudio Ranieri was sacked in favor of Leandro Jardim, while Colombian star duo Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez are now with European giants Manchester United and Real Madrid. Devoid of their attacking verve, Monaco have scored just seven goals in the league and this is glaringly obvious when one sees that they have no players among the top five--or ten--goalscorers in this season's Ligue 1 campaign.
Meanwhile, PSG have interestingly been on a similar trajectory thus far. Like Monaco, they have enjoyed a decent run in the Champions League, namely handing Barcelona their first loss of the season with a entertaining 3-2 victory at home without star players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva. However, Laurent Blanc's men have not gotten their domestic competition off on the right footing. While they have yet to lose a match, they have drawn a disappointing five out of eight games and should they fail to win on Sunday, will be eight points being league leaders Olympique Marseille.
Both sides will have players out through injury--for the hosts, in addition to the aforementioned Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, young defender Marquinhos suffered a thigh injury against the Catalan giants and will miss out as well as striker Ezequiel Lavezzi. Monaco, meanwhile will likely miss Dimitar Berbatov due to an ankle problem and Jeremy Toulalan through suspension.
As a result, Edinson Cavani, who has been under fire for his sub-par performances, will be tasked with leading the line for Les Parisiens. His manager, despite the Uruguayan being rated as one of the worst players on the pitch by the French press during the win over Barca, was quick to throw his support behind the former Napoli man in his recent conference:
"I'm pleased with his [performances] so far...he might not score as often but his commitment, mentality, and dedication are absolutely perfect."
Cavani has yet to find the back of the net in his last couple of games, so the pressure will be on El Matador to shake off that rust and get firing on all cylinders as PSG hope to catch Marseille at the top of the table.
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PSG vs Monaco team sheets
PSG starting XI: Sirigu, Van der Wiel, Camara, David Luiz, Maxwell; Thiago Motta, Matuidi, Verratti, Pastore, Lucas, Cavani
Monaco starting XI: Subasic, Carvalho, Fabinho, Kurzawa, Raggi, Bakayoko, Ferreira Carrasco, Dirar, Kondogbia, Moutinho, Ocampos
PSG bench: Douchez, Aurier, Digne, Cabaye, Chantôme, Bahebeck, Augustin
Monaco bench: Stekelenburg, Wallace, Elderson, Silva, Thiam, Germain, Martial
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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