Nantes v PSG match preview
After winning Ligue 1, the Champions League, the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions last season, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique’s ambitions for 2025/26 are unsurprising.
“We want to win everything,” said the Spaniard. “It’s difficult but motivating. The hardest thing is to continue being unpredictable.
“To do that, we have to change things. It’s in our DNA to seek innovation. We have a lot of discussions among the staff.
“Many people only understand when we win. But then you have to try to improve, get out of your comfort zone… I’ve said that a lot to my players.”
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PSG played in the Club World Cup final in the US on July 13 and have had under two weeks’ training but came from 2-0 behind to beat Tottenham in the Super Cup in Udine on Wednesday, scoring through Lee Kang-In in the 85th minute and Goncalo Ramos in the 94th minute before prevailing on penalties.
“I like the way the team fought, with so little training,” said Luis Enrique. “That was their DNA last year: to fight all the time.
“It’s time to congratulate the players. Now we want to get back the feeling with the ball. It’s normal not to be at 100%.”
Former PSG manager Antoine Kombouare’s second spell at Nantes came to an end after their 13th-placed finish last season, including two 1-1 draws with the champions.
Replacement Luis Castro guided Dunkerque to the Ligue 2 play-off semi-finals. “We’re still at the beginning of a lot of things,” said the Portuguese.
“If you prepare 100% and give your all, there’s no room for stress or things like that. I don’t even have time to think about that.”
Midfielder Francis Coquelin believes PSG’s win over Spurs showed they are “perhaps the best team in the world”.
“I don’t think there is a best time to play them,” added the former Villarreal, Valencia and Arsenal player.
“But we’re going to try to fight with our weapons. We’re not going to play the victims. We’re going to play a very good match and try to bring back some points.”
Nantes v PSG team news
Right-back Fabien Centonze and centre-back Uros Radakovic have not been included in Nantes’ squad and appear to be on their way out at the club.
Prospects Adel Mahamoud and Bahmed Deuff are also not involved, while right-back Mathieu Acapandie and on-loan Alkmaar winger Mayckel Lahdo are injured.
Matthis Abline has resumed training following an adductor injury but the forward, who contributed 11 goals and two assists last season, has an uncertain future at Nantes amid links with Paris FC and Wolves.
Coquelin says he is ready despite “a little muscle discomfort”. “He is not 100% fit, that’s for sure,” said Castro.
“He can be used in the match. The decision will be up to the medical staff more than me.”
Nigeria’s Moses Simon, who was directly involved in 18 goals in 2024/25, moved to Paris FC for around £6 million in June, but Mali forward Amady Camara has signed on loan from Sturm Graz with an option to buy and 38-year-old former Olympiacos top scorer Youssef El-Arabi has arrived on a free transfer.
20-year-old goalkeeper Alexis Mirbach has signed from Metz on a free transfer and Kwon Hyeok-kyu has joined after failing to make a first-team appearance during two years at Celtic.
Fellow South Korean midfielder Hong Hyun-seok has joined on loan from Mainz for around £345,000 with an option to buy for £3m.
Ex-Porto, Boavista and Cincinnati defender Chidozie Awaziem has signed from MLS side the Colorado Rapids and France Under-21 midfielder Johann Lepenant has cost around £2.2m from Lyon, having featured 31 times in all competitions on loan last season.
Luis Castro will not be in the technical area because the 45-year-old is serving a ban for yellow cards.
Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier could make his 100th Ligue 1 appearance after signing from Lille for £34.5m, while winger Bradley Barcola is also set for a century for outings in the division.
Defender Illia Zabarnyi signed from Bournemouth this week for an initial £54.5m but centre-back Presnel Kimpembe has had a virus and 19-year-old midfielder Senny Mayulu has a thigh injury.
Nordi Mukiele, who spent last season on loan at Leverkusen, was pictured watching Sunderland’s home win over West Ham on Saturday and is reportedly on the verge of completing a £12m move to the Premier League newcomers.
Nantes v PSG predicted line-ups
Nantes XI: Lopes; Amian, Awaziem, Tati, Cozza; Lepenant, Kwon, Leroux; Benhattab, Mohamed, Guirassy
PSG starting XI: Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Doue; Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
How to watch Nantes v PSG: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Sunday is at 19:45 BST (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with live coverage on Ligue 1+.
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