PSG predicted XI v Ajaccio: Hugo Ekitiké to join Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé upfront

TOPSHOT - Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine forward Lionel Messi (C) embraces Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (2nd R), flanked by Paris Saint-Germain's French defender Presnel Kimpembe (R) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Hugo Ekitike (L) after the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Lille LOSC at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on February 19, 2023. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

May 13, 2023

Hugo Ekitiké is set to start back-to-back matches for Paris Saint-Germain, whilst Lionel Messi is set to make his return following the premature lifting of his two-week suspension.

Messi was supposed to miss this weekend’s match against AC Ajaccio at the Parc des Princes, but he returns to the fold having made an apology for his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Christophe Galtier confirmed that Messi would start the match.

Consequently, PSG look set to revert to a 3-4-3, with Messi and Ekitiké joined by Kylian Mbappé. There are no fresh injury concerns for Les Parisiens with Presnel Kimpembé, Nuno Mendes, Neymar and Nordi Mukiele all ruled out until the end pf the season.

PSG likely lineup v Ajaccio

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Danilo Pereira, Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos – Juan Bernat, Fabián Ruiz, Marco Verratti, Achraf Hakimi – Kylian Mbappé, Hugo Ekitiké, Lionel Messi. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle