PSG v Flamengo preview
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique is expecting a “thrilling” match between “two teams with a very similar style of play” when the reigning European champions face Flamengo at Doha’s Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in the Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday.
The Ligue 1 title holders will play their only match in the format against the Brazilian giants, who beat Egyptian club Pyramids 2-0 in Al-Rayyan on December 13 to reach the final of the competition comprising the champions in each of FIFA’s six confederations.
“They’re in great form,” observed Luis Enrique, alluding to Flamengo’s triumphs in a Serie A season that ended on December 6, as well as winning the Campeonato Carioca, Copa Libertadores and Supercopa do Brasil.
“I like the way they play football, both with and without the ball. They’re a team that has worked very hard, and I remember their very interesting matches at the Club World Cup.
“They’re a very interesting team: physically powerful, with very experienced players who know what to do in important matches. It will be very difficult to take the ball from them. I think it will be a great final.”
Flamengo boss Filipe Luis guided his club to the last 16 of the Club World Cup in June, including a 3-1 win over Chelsea – who beat PSG in the final – before going out with a 4-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.
“I have no doubt that such young and fast players will put us in difficulty at certain moments of the game,” the former Brazil left-back said of PSG’s squad.
“We have a way of defending; we don’t defend against the individual player, we defend against the team, the ball, and we hope to take as much time as possible away from key players, especially in midfield.
“I have no doubt that we will have the weapons to neutralise PSG’s attack. PSG are a team quite similar to Chelsea.
“Bayern are a very physically strong team. Paris don’t have the same brute force profile; their players are lighter and faster.
“They play similarly in some phases of the game, but physically it’s more similar to Chelsea. They are different opponents with different game plans, so everything is new.”
PSG v Flamengo team news
Defender Marquinhos (hip) and striker Ousmane Dembele (illness) have returned to PSG’s squad, but full-back Achraf Hakimi, who has been called up for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad by Morocco, has an ankle injury.
Forward Ibrahim Mbaye could play his final club match before joining Senegal’s AFCON squad.
Flamengo have not named Allan in their squad because the midfielder is suffering from left-heel pain, while left-back Vina, who recently returned from 10 months out with a right-leg and knee injury, has also not travelled.
Each side has been allowed to name a 22-player squad for the final, which must include three goalkeepers.
PSG v Flamengo predicted lineups
Paris Saint-Germain starting XI: Lucas Chevalier, Warren Zaire-Emery, Illia Zabarnyi, Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernandez, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Lee Kang-in, Goncalo Ramos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Flamengo starting XI: Agustin Rossi, Guillermo Varela, Danilo, Leo Pereira, Alex Sandro, Jorge Carrascal, Erick Pulgar, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Jorginho, Everton, Gonzalo Plata
How to watch PSG v Flamengo: TV channel, online live streams
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 17:00 GMT (13:00 ET / 10:00 PT), with live TV coverage and streaming starting on FIFA Plus at 16:45.
DAZN is also broadcasting the final.
PSG v Flamengo stats
- This match marks the second edition of the new format, redesigned by FIFA in 2024 and won by Real Madrid with a 3-0 win over Mexican side Pachuca in 2024
- This is the first meeting between Luis Enrique and Filipe Luis as coaches, although the Spaniard won five of their eight meetings during his time as Barcelona boss between 2014 and 2017 (D2 L1), which covered two spells the Flamengo boss had as a player for Atletico Madrid
- Filipe Luis was sent off for fouling Lionel Messi in a 2-1 defeat for Atleti at Barca in February 2016, when Luis Enrique said the challenge had “scared” him
- Since Filipe Luis became a manager, both the 40-year-old and Luis Enrique have won five trophies
- Both have won 57 matches in charge of their current clubs, according to Globo; the Spaniard from 80 games, the Flamengo boss from 88
- Luiz Araujo faced PSG nine times during the Flamengo winger’s spell at Lille between 2017 and 2021, winning three matches and losing six
- Danilo has two wins, one draw and two defeats against PSG across the defender’s time with Porto, Real Madrid and Juventus
- Left-back Alex Sandro has won one of four matches against the French team with Porto and Juventus (L3)
- Wideman Samuel Lino was part of the Atletico Madrid squad who beat PSG 2-1 in last season’s Champions League and lost 4-0 to them at the Club World Cup
- Midfielder Jorginho was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 at home in the 2024/25 league phase and lost 2-1 in Paris in the second leg of the semi-finals
