PSG's Five-Change Playbook: Enrique Bets Big to Outfox Lille
5 October 2025
Match Preview
Spanish coach Louis Enrique, the head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, plans several changes to the starting lineup as they visit Lille on Sunday to close the seventh round of Ligue 1.
PSG enter the match in second place on 15 points, level on goal difference with their ancient rival Marseille at the top, and ahead of Lyon in third.
Lille, under manager Bruno Genesio, sits seventh with ten points and is eager to stop a two-game losing run.
The last two teams to win the title head into Sunday with renewed confidence after away wins in Europe: PSG defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Montjuïc, while Lille beat Roma 1-0 at the Olimpico.
That momentum comes as both clubs look to translate continental form into domestic impact, with PSG’s European confidence contrasting Lille’s steady domestic grind.
Le Parisien and other outlets report that Enrique plans five changes to the starting XI that began last match against Barcelona.
In goal, Chevalier is favored to face his old club, with a back line anchored by Zabarní and Hakimi; Hernandez is expected at left-back, while Beraldo could start in defense over Mendes.
Midfield could feature a youthful Maïolo alongside Vitinha and Émry Imri, with a dynamic attacking trio of Ramos, Kang-In Lee and Barcola.
PSG will miss several stars: captain Marquinhos and the attacking quartet of Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doy, Kvartskhelia, and Fabián Ruiz continue to recover from muscle injuries.
In the league, PSG lead the table with 15 points, tied with Lyon, after five wins and one defeat to Marseille in the classic clash that was delayed a day due to weather.
PSG beat Nantes and Angers 1-0 in the opening two rounds, then stunned Toulouse 6-3, and added a 2-0 win against Lorient preceding their latest result.
The head-to-head record between PSG and Lille stands at 104 meetings across all competitions, with PSG leading 45-32 and 26 draws.
Additionally, PSG have scored 152 goals against Lille's 111 in those matches, according to Transfermarkt.
As well as Lille, PSG will host Strasbourg later in October, then travel to Brest and Lorient on October 25 and 29.
Two punchlines to spice up the preview: If PSG win, Enrique might start selling maps to the transfer market as a new side hustle; if they lose, at least the post-match press conference backdrop will look great on a weather forecast segment.
And as Lille fans head to Paris, they might mutter: “If the bus stops, at least the jokes will drive us home.”
