This Tuesday, on matchday 4 of the 2026-2027 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) will face Villarreal (19th) at the Estadio de la Cerámica (kick-off at 9:00 PM, CET). Ahead of the match, the press has attempted to predict the line-ups that will be fielded by PSG manager Luis Enrique and his counterpart, Iñigo Pérez.
Villarreal –
Le Parisien (4-2-3-1):
Mikautadze
Buchanan – Moleiro – Pépé
Gueye – Comesaña
Romero – Veiga – Navarro – Freeman
Gulacsi
L’Equipe (4-3-3):
Moleiro – Mikautadze – Buchanan
N. Saliba – Gueye – Comesaña
Romero – Veiga – Navarro – Freeman
Gulacsi
PSG –
Le Parisien (4-3-3):
Doué – Torres – Akliouche
Ruiz – Vitinha – Neves
Hernandez – Pacho – Zabarnyi – Hakimi
Safonov.
L’Equipe (4-3-3):
Doué – Torres – Akliouche
Ruiz – Vitinha – Neves
Hernandez – Pacho – Zabarnyi – Hakimi
Safonov.
All the projected lineups are entirely plausible, given the teams’ usual habits and the players available. However, one cannot be certain based on press reports, as nothing is official. Furthermore, there is no consensus among the Spanish media regarding their side’s starting eleven.
Nevertheless, a core group of players is evident for both teams—especially for PSG—which is to be expected on a European night where squad rotation is unlikely. Even so, various tactical options remain, despite PSG having to contend with several significant absences.
This is the strength of a squad well-equipped in terms of both quality and versatility. While the press has not suggested Senny Mayulu as a “false nine,” it is certainly a possibility for tonight—much like the prospect of Mika Godts playing on the wing, with either Désiré Doué or Maghnes Akliouche operating centrally. In defense, there is some uncertainty as to whether Lucas Hernandez or Warren Zaïre-Emery might feature.
We will have to wait until about an hour before kickoff—when the official team sheets are released—to know for sure.
