Paris Saint-Germain travel to the Groupama Stadium to face Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday evening.
Since March, PSG have scored a sickening 37 goals in their last nine away matches across all competitions (an average of more than four per game) – winning eight of them.
Here’s the XI Christophe Galtier may deploy to extend his side’s scoring streak on unfamiliar turf.
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma – At just 23, Donnarumma’s denial of Islam Slimani’s spot kick last weekend was the 17th penalty save of his career.
CB: Sergio Ramos – In 2019, Ramos claimed he planned on retiring at Real Madrid and would “play for free”. Just two years later, he was collecting more than €500,000 a week to turn out for PSG.
CB: Marquinhos – Much like his Spanish colleague, Marquinhos isn’t shy in pledging his future to a club, claiming: “I’d like to stay for life here in Paris.” The Brazilian didn’t mention any wage reduction though.
CB: Danilo Pereira – In the absence of the injured Presnel Kimpembe, Danilo’s versatility may prove key.
RWB: Achraf Hakimi – Afforded a rare rest before coming on for the closing stages against Maccabi Haifa in midweek, Hakimi is expected to make a swift return to the starting XI.
CM: Marco Verratti – Upon his arrival in Paris, the French publication l’Équipe raved that his passes could one day be “taught at an École de Beaux-Arts”.
CM: Vitinha – The Primeira Liga’s Young Player of the Season last term has received plenty of individual recognition during a seamless adaptation to life in Paris.
LWB: Nuno Mendes – “Slowly but surely,” was the cautionary warning Mendes offered upon his arrival in Paris last season. However, his evolution into a regular starter has been anything but,
RW: Lionel Messi – The Argentine icon hasn’t assisted anyone not called Neymar or Kylian Mbappe since February. He has teed up 16 goals for that pair since.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – As a 15-year-old, Mbappe had to design a magazine cover at school. He mocked up himself on the front of Time with the headline “El Maestro”. Four years later, his face was actually plastered across the same publication.
LW: Neymar – With eight goals from his first seven Ligue 1 appearances, Neymar is well on his way to what could be his first 20-goal season since 2016.
