Luis Enrique drops four PSG stars to the bench for Champions League tie with Slovan Bratislava

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has made a bold selection call by leaving four prominent players on the substitutes’ bench for the Champions League meeting with SK Slovan Bratislava.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, captain Marquinhos and Joao Neves will all begin the match among the replacements, in one of the most unexpected line-ups named by the Spanish coach since taking charge of the European champions.

The decision represents a major departure from the expected Paris Saint-Germain team and has prompted contrasting reactions. Some supporters may view the changes as a significant risk, while others will see them as evidence of Luis Enrique’s confidence in his squad and his willingness to rotate his players.

Instead of selecting four of the club’s established names from the start, the manager has opted to introduce a number of younger or less familiar options.

Ferran Torres has been chosen to lead the attack alongside Ousmane Dembele, while the young attacking midfielder Drew Fernandez has been given a starting role. New signing Illia Zabarnyi will also make his presence felt in the centre of defence.

The official Paris Saint-Germain line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Matvei Safonov.

Defenders: Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Illia Zabarnyi, Achraf Hakimi.

Midfielders: Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Drew Fernandez, Maghnes Akliouche.

Forwards: Ferran Torres, Ousmane Dembele.

The substitutes’ bench includes a group of high-profile players headed by Kvaratskhelia and Doue, as well as Marquinhos and Neves. Their inclusion among the replacements underlines the scale of Luis Enrique’s decision for the opening stage of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League league-phase campaign.

It also sends a clear message about the coach’s approach to squad management. Luis Enrique has chosen to rotate his team and give opportunities to players who might otherwise have had to wait for their chance, despite the match carrying the significance of a Champions League fixture.

The selection means Paris Saint-Germain will begin with Safonov in goal and a back four of Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Illia Zabarnyi and Achraf Hakimi. Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha will provide experience in midfield, with Drew Fernandez and Maghnes Akliouche completing the central group.

Further forward, Ferran Torres will operate with Ousmane Dembele, while the usual attacking and leadership options remain available from the bench.

The line-up was confirmed by the Parisian club before the match against SK Slovan Bratislava, with the decision to rest four major names immediately becoming the main talking point. It reflects Luis Enrique’s intention to involve the full squad at the start of the Champions League league phase rather than rely exclusively on his most recognisable players.