Lionel Messi will look to carry PSG through to the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France as the Parisian club travels to visit fellow Ligue 1 heavyweights Olympique de Marseille in a cup edition of Le Classique.
With Kylian Mbappe and Neymar both sidelined with injuries, Messi is the star of the PSG show right now. He will have bigger fish to fry as he leads the way against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but this match will provide a solid litmus test for how ready the PSG attack is behind the Argentine legend. Neymar is close to returning and could feature here, but he will likely return.
PSG have suffered a string of slips in Ligue 1 play since January, but back-to-back league wins under Messi’s watch have seen them take control of their season.
Marseille, who are second in the Ligue 1 table, eight points behind leaders PSG, are winless in their last five matches against the Parisians in all competitions, the last time in September 2020 when they won 1-0 at the Parc des Princes. OM have not beaten PSG in front of their home fans since November 2011, going 10 home matches without a win.
Olympique Marseille Team news
Amine Harit remains out with a serious injury. Eric Bailly will comply and his defense partner Leonardo Balerdi will also be out due to different sanctions.
PSG Team news
Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Sergio Ramos will be out due to different injuries. Presnel Kimpembe is not yet ready to return from his Achilles tendon problem, despite returning to training. Who will be available is Marco Verratti.
PSG possible lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Danilo, Bernat; Zaire-Emery, Verratti, Fabian; Vitinha; Messi, Ekitike.
