02 November 2021, 10:21 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The UEFA Champions League Group A encounter between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, November 3, at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig. Referee Andreas Ekberg (SWE) will be in charge of this game, while Massimiliano Irrati (ITA) will be the Video Assistant Referee.
Preview RB Leipzig Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview The Red Bulls will make their re-entry to the room of champions after a 1-1 draw against Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga over the weekend. Poulsen (35’) had put Leipzig in the lead but a last-gasp effort from Frankfurt’s Tuta (90’+4) saw the Red Bulls denied the win. On Matchday 3, the Red Bulls picked up a disappointing 3-2 defeat to PSG. Andre Silva (28’) restored Leipzig on level terms following a goal from Mbappe (9’), before another goal from Nordi Mukiele (57’) had Leipzig in the lead. However, one goal from Lionel Messi (67’ & 74’ P.) and another from the penalty spot separated both sides at full-time. The defeat leaves the German side at the bottom of Group A with no points while having a G.D. of -5 after 0W, 0D & 3L. Coach Jesse Marsch will aim for a win to salvage the situation and remain in contention for European football at the end of Matchday 6. Leipzig has only two victories in five games across all competitions: DLWWD. On Wednesday, a 3—5—2 formation with Christopher Nkunku and Andre Silva in attack is expected. Yussuf Poulsen could be making a push for the start, having bagged a goal for the club over the weekend. Meanwhile, Nkuku has a tally of four goals in three appearances after a single strike against Brugge coupled with his Matchday 1 hat-trick against Manchester City. The 23-year-old will be on the hunt for the fifth on Wednesday. Marcelo Saracchi has been left out of the squad, but Dani Olmo made his return over the weekend as an 89th-minute substitute, having been out since the 18th of September with a thigh injury.
Preview Paris Saint Germain Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview The nine-time French Champions, PSG, defeated Lille, 2-1, last Friday in a French Ligue 1 fixture, having gone down by a goal a minute after the half-hour mark. Following the victory on Matchday 3, PSG sits at the top of Group A with 7 points after 2W, 1D, & 0L. The French outfit has only one defeat in five games across all competitions: LWWDW, and Pochettino aims to follow up Friday's domestic victory with a win on Wednesday. The 49-year-old is expected to utilize the weekend’s 4—3—3 formation with Messi playing the role of a center-forward, following the absence of Kylian Mbappe (ENT infection). On availability, Marco Verratti is expected to be out for several weeks alongside Leandro Paredes (thigh injury). Meanwhile, uncorroborated reports suggest that PSG is considering a termination of contract between the club and Sergio Ramos over fitness issues.