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Right-winger - Lionel Messi
PSG’s most decorated player, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi is set to start the match on the right-wing against Nice. Messi, who won the most prestigious individual accolade on Monday, will back himself to get on the scoresheet against Nice.
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Deployed as an attacking midfielder against Saint-Etienne, Messi enjoyed pulling strings from the middle of the park. The Argentine pitched in with three invaluable assists, setting the course for PSG’s 3-1 win.
With Neymar ruled out, PSG might have to revert to a more restrictive 4-3-3 formation, meaning Messi could return to the right-wing. However, we do not expect him to stick to that position for the entirety of the match against Nice.
There have been reports of Messi suffering from gastroenteritis but his participation has not been ruled out yet.
Centre forward - Kylian Mbappe
Prior to the 2021-22 Ligue 1 campaign, Kylian Mbappe was seen as a more traditional goalscorer. He could assist, of course, but goalscoring was his main USP. Mbappe seems to have matured as a footballer this season and is contributing more to PSG’s gameplay.
Mbappe still loves playing down the middle, but he now squares off the ball a lot more frequently than he used to. In Ligue 1 this season, Mbappe has not only scored seven goals but also provided seven assists, emerging as the league’s top assist provider.
PSG’s midweek opponents are not too fond of leaving space behind. Mbappe will have to use his clever movement to carve out opportunities. It will be interesting to see how he combines with the great Lionel Messi to trouble the Nice defense.
Left-winger - Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria may not be the most valuable player PSG have at their disposal but he constantly proves himself to be the most versatile. Di Maria can play on either wing as an attacking midfielder, or even in a false nine system, giving Pochettino many options to work with.
Against Nice, Di Maria is expected to be part of PSG’s three-man attack and start the game on the left flank. Thanks to the overlapping runs of Nuno Mendes, Di Maria could cut in more frequently and try to test the keeper with his curling efforts.
