Luis Enrique’s PSG will face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and friends to decide which of the two teams will advance to the Club World Cup quarter-finals.
Expectations around Javier Mascherano’s squad were certainly low at the start of the tournament. During the current MLS season, the Chase Stadium residents dropped many points in matches where they appeared to be favorites.
However, they became the only U.S. club to qualify for the Club World Cup knockout rounds after both LAFC and Seattle Sounders were eliminated in the group stage. In the end, it became evident that the experience of Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba does carry significant weight.
On the other hand, PSG entered this competition as clear favorites after winning the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history, having defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in Europe’s top competition.
In the group stage, Luis Enrique’s team delivered, despite losing 1-0 to Botafogo (who were eliminated by Palmeiras in the Round of 16 this Saturday), thrashing Atlético Madrid 4-0, and securing a solid 2-0 victory against Seattle Sounders.
Ahead of the match, here are the predicted lineups for PSG vs. Inter Miami:
Predicted PSG lineup vs. Inter Miami: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, F. Ruiz; Doué, Kvaratskhelia, Barcola.
Predicted Inter Miami lineup vs. PSG: Ustari; Weigandt, Avilés, Falcón, Allen; Allende, Redondo, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suárez.
On paper, Paris Saint-Germain shouldn’t have difficulties defeating Inter Miami. However, Mascherano’s squad also has the tools to hurt PSG, though we believe not enough to secure victory.
