PSG vs Clermont: Who will win Goliath vs David clash?
PSG will resume Ligue 1 action with an intriguing home clash against Clermont on Saturday. Clermont, who were promoted to the top tier last season, are making their debut in Ligue 1, and have really impressed observers with their showings so far. Indeed, the debutants come into this match unbeaten in their first four games. While they’ve fallen off the pace a bit after drawing their last two, the fact remains that they’re still ahead of last season’s Ligue 1 winners Lille and recently battled to a very impressive three-all draw with Lyon in their penultimate match prior to the international break.
Key to their success has been Mohamed Bayo, who has been directly involved in five goals for Clermont so far (three goals, two assists). The Guinean international, who was recently rescued from his homeland by his club after the country descended into chaos, hasn’t scored in his last two games but still proved to be a protagonist. Meanwhile, Elbasan Rashani has also contributed heavily, with his three goals in his last two games helping to salvage vital draws for the debutants and keep their impressive run going.
Another impressive stat concerning Bayo – he’s scored 25 goals across Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 since 2020/21. The only player to produce more? World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, with 28.
Interestingly, the only meeting between Clermont and PSG resulted as a win for Saturday’s visitors, as they edged Les Parisiens out on spot kicks during the 1996/97 round of 16 in the Coupe de France. Of course, Pascal Gastien’s side will be well aware of the challenge that awaits them at the Parc des Princes, but may be given a bit of hope considering that PSG will have to make do without several of their star players, whereas they arrive in Paris with pretty much a clean bill of health.
Fans hoping to see Lionel Messi make his full debut may have to wait a bit longer, as the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is part of a crop of South American stars who only just returned from international duty and so won’t be available to Mauricio Pochettino. Indeed, the Argentine tactician will really have to tinker with his starting XI, as Messi, Neymar, Angel Di Maria, and Leandro Paredes won’t be in contention, while injuries still see Colin Dagba, Sergio Ramos, Juan Bernat and Layvin Kurzawa on the treatment table. In addition, Italian midfielder Marco Verratti is out injured again, with a knee issue being the latest problem. And to complicate matters, Mbappe sustained a thigh strain while on duty for France, meaning that indeed, Pochettino might not have any of his first-choice attackers available – unless if Mbappe can pass a late fitness test.
Still, it’s fully advantage PSG. Les Parisiens have won all four of their matches so far, and have won ten of their last 11 Ligue 1 matches. That being said, PSG have been stunned by minnows before, with teams like Rennes and Strasbourg causing problems in the Coupe de France as well as in Ligue 1, and given that they will be missing quite a few protagonists, coupled with Clermont’s impressive form and full strength squad, this game could potentially be a banana peel for the Paris-based giants. Will we see the minnows triumph in this David and Goliath match-up? As the French say, on verra…
