Neymar and Mbappe return for PSG against Leipzig

2:51pm on Monday 23rd November 2020
By Nicholas Hughes

Paris Saint-Germain will gleefully welcome both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe back into the starting XI for their crucial Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.

Both players have been nursing injuries for the past month, with Mbappe starting and scoring twice in PSG’s 3-2 loss to Monaco while Neymar emerged from the bench.

The pair haven’t started together since the end of October, incidentally PSG's only win in this season's Champions League to date.

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Thomas Tuchel is feeling the pressure ahead of what is simply a must-win fixture, with a loss and a Manchester United win effectively all but ending their hopes of reaching the last 16.

The return of their two star players will be a welcome relief for the German manager who also saw his side’s lead in Ligue 1 cut to just two points at the weekend.

Les Parisiens will be without Idrissa Gueye and Presnel Kimpembe after both were sent off in their loss to Leipzig last time out, leaving the spine of the team considerably weaker.

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Moise Kean has continued his revitalisation in Paris with two goals in the Champions League so far to go with three strikes in five games in the league. He should start once again as PSG chase a positive result, but must shake off a knock.

The prospect of Kean, Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria in the same starting line-up is a tantalising one and one that Tuchel will hope brings him success as his job position grows ever more precarious.

Marquinhos and Leandro Paredes should both be in contention after missing the Monaco game due to timing issues with their international commitments, while Tuchel will be sweating on the fitness of Ander Herrera right up until kick-off.

It is hoped that Marco Verratti will be able to return after injury in the midfield, while Danilo may act as a counterweight in that area to the attacking players set to be deployed.