Matches of the Week: Paris Saint-Germain vs. AS Monaco - a podcast by noreply@blogger.com (The Hat Trick)

With Paris Saint-Germain continue their long spending spree, recently breaking the world transfer fee, it is expected that they should be winning the non competitive French league without any doubts. However, Monaco has shown the Paris side that money is not worth nearly as much as passionate players, beating the super team in the league last season. Paris saint-Germain decided that in order to make sure it does not happen again, they went out and stole French phenom Kylian Mbappé from the Monaco side. While Monaco have suffered many losses to their wonder team of 2016, they still have the hear and soul that won them the league last year. This fixture will definitely be a big statement to the soccer world, showing how money and big names don't guarantee success. Both teams sit comftorably at the top of the table, Monaco just 6 points off undefeated PSG.

Paris Saint-Germain like to be known as a European super team, however, since being bought by billionaire owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi in 2011, the French side has yet to appear in a Champions League Semi-Final game despite the numerous amount of money spent on world stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edison Cavani, and Neymar Jr. While they have won the Ligue 1 competition every year since 2011/2012 season, they under performed massively last season, losing out to underdog team AS Monaco. PSG have a lot to prove, especially breaking the world transfer fee with Neymar this summer window. It will be interesting to see whether or not the Paris-based side can prove their worth not only in league competitions, but European as well, being matched in a group with Bayern Munich for the Champions League group stage.

Monaco were last season's biggest surprise team, not only in league fixtures, but European dominance as well. Monaco had not won the Ligue 1 title for 17 years, yet last season looked as if they were the side spending billions on new players each transfer window. However, just like all cinderella stories, Monaco's team was quickly disbanded. With the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and PSG, 5 of the most important players for the side were transferred. Mbappe, probably the most important for Monaco, left on loan to PSG, while teammates Silva, Bakayoko, and Mendy went to play in England's top flight. Overall, we see a very different Monaco side. Monaco was able to bring in winger Balde Diao to help width to their attack, and Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans to sure up the center of the park. Monaco have struggle in their performances outside league fixtures, currently sitting bottom of group G in the Champions League, with 0 wins in the first 5 games. Monaco will want to fix that terrible run of form with an even better performance in league competitions. Monaco will definitely be determined to beat rival's PSG in this head-to-head to show who really belongs on top of Ligue 1.

While both teams made big signings over the summer transfer window, their formations have stayed extremely similar since the beginning of the season. We can expect Paris Saint-Germain, coming off of their mid-week fixture against Celtic, to run a 4-3-3 with Mbappe, Neymar, and Cavani are their attacking trio and the likes of Pastore and Rabiot to sure up the midfield. Verrati will look to roam around the midfield, trying to create better chances and spread out the opposition's defense, he will definitely be the unsung hero if PSG are successful against Monaco. PSG will keep their strong 4-in-the-back defense with Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, and Brazilian wing-back Dani Alves being the most well-known of the 4 defenders. French keeper Alphonse Areola will be leading the charge, with German stopper Trapp sitting on the bench. On the opposite side, we can expect Monaco to keep a standard 4-4-2 against the PSG, with central defenders Glik and Jemerson looking to keep Paris' deadly front three out of their net. Midfield duo Tielemans and Fabinho will need to be on top of their game in order to be successful against the middle three of PSG. The one area Monaco will be able to expose PSG is from the outside wings, with Keita Blade and Rony Lopes destroying teams. Proven striker Falcao will be looking to add to his goal tally, currently sitting at 13 goals in league matches.

This match will be a highlight of the Ligue 1 season without a doubt. The winner of this fixture will have a lot of momentum to push their side ahead in the title race. Considering the game will be in Monaco, and the last season's results against the French super team, we are expecting this game to be a high scoring affair, with a 3-1 away win for Paris Saint-Germain, coming off of huge wins against Nantes and Angers. We will be recapping this match and all other Ligue 1 matches Monday on "Ligue 1 Sum-Up".

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