Coupe de France Final
PSG vs Saint Etienne
Stade de France, Paris
Friday, 24-07-2020 @10:10pm
Both PSG and Saint Etienne have not played a competitive match since March, when football in France was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Naturally, both teams will be wanting to emerge victorious at the Stade De France, particularly Saint-Etienne who have an opportunity to qualify for the Europa League after only finishing in 16th position in France’s top flight.
Nevertheless, the opportunity to play 90 minutes of competitive action when the majority of their rivals are having to wait until August 22 will represent some kind of respite from having little to focus on during lockdown.
PSG have arguably had the easier route through to the final, with Lyon representing their only opponents who ended the most recent Ligue 1 campaign in the top 10.
Saint-Etienne came through a showdown with Monaco as early as the last 16, before they edged past third-placed Rennes in the semi-finals.
In preparation for this contest, PSG have played two friendlies, following a 9-0 demolition of Le Havre with a 4-0 success over Celtic.
Although Saint-Etienne have recorded three convincing victories over Rumilly Vallieres, Nice and Sporting Charleroi respectively, it will have been six days since their last outing come kickoff on Friday night.
PSG boss Thomas Tuchel is unlikely to make any major alterations to the team which began against Celtic earlier this week.
Thiago Silva is expected to line up in defence, despite the possibility of a departure before the end of the month, but Layvin Kurzawa is likely to replace Mitchel Bakker at left-back.
Neymar and Mbappe should partner Mauro Icardi in a forward three, with Angel Di Maria offering support from midfield.
Saint-Etienne are without William Saliba, who has returned to parent club Arsenal after his season-long loan.
Timothee Kolodziejczak could move into the centre of defence, with Gabriel Silva getting a run out on the left.
In 35 head-to-head fixtures between the two sides, Paris Saint-Germain have a clear advantage. They have won 22 games, lost five and drawn eight.
In the most recent encounter between the two sides, the Parisien club comfortably won 4-0, courtesy of a Kylian Mbappe brace as well as goals from Neymar and Mauro Icardi.
