Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is set to face Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on Wednesday evening, competing for the UEFA Super Cup. This matchup marks an important occasion as PSG seeks to secure their second consecutive title in this prestigious tournament, which traditionally serves as the curtain-raiser for European football.
Under the management of Luis Enrique, PSG recently triumphed over Arsenal in a dramatic penalty shootout during the Champions League final held in Budapest in May. This victory not only crowned them champions of Europe but also positioned them to become only the second club in the modern era to retain the Super Cup title. However, standing in their way are Aston Villa, who earned their spot in this match by winning the Europa League.
The PSG camp is currently dealing with a significant challenge, as several key players are facing fitness concerns following their late return from international duties in North America. Notably, Ousmane Dembélé, who played a crucial role for France, is among those being closely monitored, alongside fellow French players Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, and Warren Zaïre-Emery. Additionally, Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Hernandez are also listed as fitness doubts.
Despite these concerns, it is anticipated that all six players will be available to some degree for the match. The main question for Enrique will be whether to risk any of them in the starting lineup. PSG has had limited preparation for this match, having played only two fixtures this summer, which included a heavy defeat to Mallorca with a youth squad and a 1-1 draw against Manchester United. Nevertheless, Enrique is likely to field a strong starting XI, featuring several key players who had shorter World Cup campaigns and are fully prepared for this encounter.
In goal, Matvei Safonov is expected to take his place, while the defensive lineup will consist of Willian Boly, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, and Nuno Mendes. The midfield is likely to be anchored by Joao Neves and Vitinha, with Zaïre-Emery completing the trio if he is deemed fit. On the attacking front, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a standout performer from last season's Champions League, will start on the left wing, while Dembélé is set to lead the attack through the middle. The exciting 17-year-old talent Ibrahim Mbaye will occupy the right flank.
The predicted starting XI for PSG in a 4-3-3 formation is as follows: Safonov; Boly, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Mbaye, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
The UEFA Super Cup match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Fans can catch the live broadcast on TNT Sports in the UK. Should the match end in a draw after 90 minutes, it will proceed directly to penalties to determine the winner.
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