PSGs midfield stars back in action aiming to reclaim Ligue 1 supremacy
Following a shaky beginning to the campaign, Paris Saint Germain are eager to maintain the fitness of their key midfield partnership Vitinha Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz to revive the dazzling displays from the previous year.
The core Iberian figures behind PSGs Champions League triumph and domestic double in France last term have only lined up together for three outings this season since late August once domestically and twice in European competition.
Their display during Wednesdays 5-3 triumph against Tottenham highlighted precisely what Luis Enriques squad had lacked.
Vitinha who earned man of the match honours dominated proceedings at the Parc des Princes with a treble but Ruiz also scored following an exquisite backheel assist from Neves.
He Vitinha demonstrated his vital role. Ive watched him join and develop within this squad. Now hes the one dictating our play our midfield conductor said PSG skipper Marquinhos post match.
I believe the manager adores this talent. Hes constantly involved. At times we urge him to take a break. Hes someone passionate about the game who pours everything into it.
Even with a two point lead at the Ligue 1 summit an injury plagued PSG have found it tough to mirror the total control of last season particularly because Luis Enrique has rarely been able to utilise his preferred midfield lineup.
Vitinha aged 25 has featured in most fixtures but his 21 year old fellow Portuguese player Neves sat out several games from mid September until late October due to a hamstring problem while Spanish player Ruiz missed a similar stretch with a thigh complaint.
Every point PSG surrendered in Ligue 1 occurred amid that sequence of fixtures.
Having emerged from Wednesdays encounter without issues Luis Enrique ought to have the full trio ready for Saturdays league visit to Monaco.
The home side occupy eighth position and enter the encounter after three straight losses.
That said Monaco possess a midfield gem of their own as 2018 World Cup victor Paul Pogba made a much anticipated comeback after a chaotic period appearing briefly in the closing stages of last weekends 4-1 defeat at Rennes.
Monaco boss Sebastien Pocognoli will avoid pushing Pogba too hard for now as the 32 year old progresses in his return having been absent for 26 months over injuries a doping ban and an extortion incident where he was targeted.
If the unpredictable Pogba features at the Stade Louis II on Saturday his confrontation with Vitinha Neves and Ruiz would probably occur only in the games closing moments.
In other action runners up Marseille welcome Toulouse on Saturday while the clubs trailing them Lens and Lille head to Angers and Le Havre.
Player to watch: Ousmane Dembele
The Ballon dOr recipient has endured an interrupted season amid PSGs extensive injury woes but he might secure his initial Ligue 1 appearance since early November having substituted in for the final 11 minutes versus Spurs.
Dembele struck five goals in PSGs three clashes with Monaco last season and should he be considered ready for extended involvement on Saturday he may anticipate ending his league goal drought since netting twice away at Toulouse in the third round.
Key stats
9 The tally of points PSG lost when at least one of Neves and Ruiz was unavailable
4 Monaco have shipped four goals in each of their previous two Ligue 1 matches a first since 1975 per Opta data
11 The goals conceded by third placed Lens the shared lowest in the league
Fixtures times GMT
Friday
Metz v Rennes 1945
Saturday
Monaco v Paris Saint Germain 1600 Paris FC v Auxerre 1800 Marseille v Toulouse 2005
Sunday
Strasbourg v Brest 1400 Angers v Lens Le Havre v Lille Lorient v Nice all 1615 Lyon v Nantes 1945