Champions League Group A is done and dusted as Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have qualified for the next round of games. Thomas Tuchel and company will want to finish the competition strongly with a win on Wednesday night against Galatasaray to finish off Group A.
Galatasaray can still qualify for the Europa League last 32. However, they must win against Paris Saint-Germain, which won’t be an easy task at the Parc des Princes. Galatasaray are one point behind third-place Club Brugge, who will take on Real Madrid on the final day of the group stage.
Tuchel leads Paris Saint-Germain up against Galatasaray in the midst of a six-game unbeaten run. The Parisians’ only blemish during that run was a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid in a pulsating game.
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Ligue 1 rival Montpellier away, 3-1, at the weekend. The capital club was down 1-0 at halftime and scored three times in the second half to win.
🔜📽️🏆🏟️ #PSGGS 🔴🔵 #ICICESTPARIS pic.twitter.com/USAfYE4gpv— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) December 9, 2019
🔜📽️🏆🏟️ #PSGGS 🔴🔵 #ICICESTPARIS pic.twitter.com/USAfYE4gpv
Tuchel’s team has been plagued by injuries all season. The list continues to grow and midfielders Ander Herrera, Marco Verratti, and Idrissa Gueye will miss out with thigh injuries. Defender Presnel Kimpembe is also sidelined with a thigh issue.
The problems do not end there as Loic Mbe Soh and Edinson Cavani are expected to miss the fixture in Paris. The good news is Paris Saint-Germain are already through. However, the injury list may mean that Tuchel has to play squad members he had hoped to rest for the Ligue 1 campaign.
Galatasaray are sixth in the Turkish Super Lig and seven points off of top team Sivasspor. They will have one eye on next weekend’s league fixture against Ankaragucu, but a win would also enable the European journey to continue.
If Galatasaray are to go through to the Europa League last 32, they must do it without Emre Akbaba, Christian Luyindama, and Florin Andone.
When these teams met to in October in the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain narrowly edged the Turkish giants 1-0 thanks to a Mauro Icardi second-half goal. Wednesday night’s match should be similarly close as Galatasaray have a lot to play for while the Parisians just want to move on.
Galatasaray average a mere 0.64 goals per game on the road this season. They struggle in the final third and that should continue in Paris. The hosts will get the win by the narrowest of margins to end the group stage.
Paris Saint-Germain will win to nil with under 2.5 goals going into the nets.