PSG faces absences of Hakimi and Dembélé before Metz and the Intercontinental final against the winner of Flamengo and Pyramids By Thiago Lemos
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Paris Saint-Germain faces Metz this Saturday, December 13th, in the 16th round of Ligue 1, at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, at Metz, França, at 7pm local time. The game takes place days before the final of Copa Intercontinental, scheduled for December 17th, at Doha, at Catar, at 2pm local time, against the winner of the clash between Flamengo and Pyramids. Coach Luis Enrique manages a squad affected by injuries, prioritizing recovery for the tournament’s unprecedented decision.
Achraf Hakimi, starting right-back, remains out due to an injury to his left ankle. The Moroccan travels to his country in the next few days to intensify his treatment, aiming for the debut of Marrocos at Copa Africana of Nações, on December 21st.
Ousmane Dembélé, winner of the Ballon d’Or this season, returns to individual training after a virus that ruled him out of the 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao, by Sua presence against Metz remains uncertain.
Marquinhos, Brazilian captain and defender, is taking care of muscle fatigue in his right haunch, a problem that arose in the game in Bilbao. Luis Enrique expressed concerns about his availability for the intercontinental final.
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Cast returns for the confrontation with Metz
Lucas Beraldo, Brazilian defender, returns to the team after recovering from a mollet injury. The 21-year-old player, ex-São Paulo, reinforces the defense in times of need.
Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier is also listed again, overcoming an ankle injury. Sua presence offers options to Luis Enrique, who tested Matvei Safonov in the last European match.
These returns alleviate some of the absences, but the coach emphasizes rotation to preserve key players. PSG has 33 points in Ligue 1, in second place, one point behind Lens.
Metz, bottom with 11 points, has lost three games in a row and has not beaten PSG in 15 matches. The record favors the Parisians, with 50 victories in 83 duels.
Preparation for the final of Copa Intercontinental
Luis Enrique highlighted the equal motivation between the teams in the final stretch of preparation. PSG, champion of Champions League 2024/25, is looking for the first intercontinental title in its history.
The final takes place at Estádio Ahmad Bin Ali, with a capacity for 45 thousand fans. The winner of the semi-final between Flamengo and Pyramids, on the 13th, at 2pm local time in Doha, will be the opponent.
Flamengo, current champions of Libertadores, beat Cruz Azul 2-1 on December 10, with goals from Giorgian and Arrascaeta. Pyramids advanced by beating Al-Ahli 3-1 in September.
Luis Enrique strategies against recurrent injuries
The Spanish coach is cautious with returns. Dembélé, with just 12 games and three goals in the season, receives individual management to avoid relapses.
- Muscle fatigue in Marquinhos requires daily monitoring.
- Hakimi prioritizes the Moroccan team, which will be absent until January.
- Beraldo and Chevalier have been part of collective training since Thursday.
These measures aim to balance between Ligue 1 and Intercontinental. PSG conceded nine goals as a visitor in the league, which reinforces the need for defensive solidity.
Zaïre-Emery, 19 years old, played at right-back against Bilbao and performed well. Sua versatility appears as a temporary solution for the absence of Hakimi.
The club records 15 goals conceded in Ligue 1, with a focus on quick transitions. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with six goals and assists in seven recent games, leads the attack.
PSG’s recent performance in the Ligue 1
The draw at Bilbao exposed weaknesses, but came after a 5-0 victory over Rennes on December 6th. PSG are unbeaten in six of their last eight league matches.
Against Metz, the record is dominant: three consecutive victories, including 3-0 last season. The Parisians are looking for the three points to put pressure on the leader Lens.
The opponent has scored 15 goals in 15 rounds, but concedes an average of 2.2 per game. Pape Sy, Metz’s goalkeeper, is out due to concussion, weakening the goal.
Path from Flamengo to Copa Intercontinental
The red and black team from Rio advances with high morale after the Brasileirão and Libertadores 2025. The victory over the Cruz Azul came with Mexican defensive errors exploited in the second half.
Pedro, striker, was taken to Catar with a plan to use it in the final. Sua physical condition is monitored, aiming for an impact against PSG, if it advances.
Pyramids, the Egyptian vice-leader, eliminated Auckland City 3-0 and Al-Ahli 3-1. The African team relies on quick counterattacks.
Historical importance of the decision for PSG
The tournament, reformulated in 2024, awards US$4 million to the runner-up of Challenger. PSG enters straight into the final as European champions, a format that benefits rest.
Luis Enrique sees the trophy as rare in the club’s history. “It’s a unique opportunity,” he said at a press conference this Friday, December 12th.
The squad includes reinforcements such as João Neves and Bradley Barcola, with an average of 2.8 goals per game in Champions. Rotation against Metz preserves energy for Doha.
Expectations for the game in Metz
PSG tests formations with Willian Pacho in defense alongside Marquinhos, if available. Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz anchor the middle, with Kvaratskhelia on the left.
Metz, under Stéphane Le Mignan, bets on Gauthier Hein to create chances. The team has lost three consecutive defeats, with six goals conceded.
Analysts predict a 3-0 Parisian victory, considering the technical abyss. The focus, however, is on Intercontinental, with 70% of South American victories in intercontinentals since 2020.
The updated medical report confirms related Chevalier and Beraldo. Dembélé and Marquinhos remain under evaluation, with a final decision hours before kickoff.
