Paris Saint-Germain are almost certain to reach the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup last 16 if the European champions become the third team in Group B to beat the Seattle Sounders on Monday.
PSG start the evening three points behind group leaders Botafogo, who surprisingly beat them 1-0 on Friday, and must match Atletico Madrid’s result against the Brazilian club to go through.
“Botafogo are the team who have defended best against us this season,” Paris coach Luis Enrique said afterwards.
“They acted as a unit, they were united. We didn’t generate as many chances as usual. We are used to playing against low blocks but it is very difficult.
“It’s a very intense competition. Everyone is highly motivated regardless of the team they face, and especially against us. It’s a very short competition and you can be eliminated quickly.
“If there’s a team capable of turning a situation around, it’s ours. And there aren’t many. In terms of attitude, we were very good. The result shouldn’t erase everything.
“We have to look at what we did well and what we can improve. For example, we conceded more transitions than in many matches. But in these tournaments, you have to perform at key moments. We didn’t.”
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Seattle lost 2-1 to Botafogo and 3-1 to Atleti. “To pick up a result on Monday would be huge,” said midfielder Albert Rusnak.
“Although it [might not] mean a lot in this competition, it can mean a lot for us going forward in the league, going into the Leagues Cup.
“These kinds of games you probably remember when you retire and you have grandchildren and so on and so on. So it can be a good story for many, many years.”
Manager Brian Schmetzer calls PSG “a great team.” “It’s not just about stopping this guy or this guy,” Schmetzer added. “It’s stopping this guy and this guy and this guy and this guy, because they have so many talented players.”
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Seattle v PSG team news
Winger Paul Arriola is out for Seattle with a long-term knee injury while centre-back Kim Kee-hee was an unused substitute against Atleti after returning from injury against Botafogo.
Forward Jordan Morris also did not emerge from the bench against the Spanish giants following a hamstring problem. Nor did Colombia defender Yeimar Gomez Andrade, whose calf problem has meant Jackson Ragen and Jon Bell are Schmetzer’s only fully fit central defenders, according to Sounder at Heart.
PSG were boosted by the return of Bradley Barcola against Botafogo following a minor knee injury and the winger could replace teenage sensation Desire Doue in the starting line-up.
Ballon d’Or favourite Ousmane Dembele was not in the matchday squad as the striker continues individual recovery work for a muscle issue.
In attack, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Goncalo Ramos kept their places on Matchday 2 after impressive initial performances, with Kvaratskhelia involved in two of PSG’s goals in their 4-0 win over Atleti.
Seattle Sounders v PSG expected line-ups
Seattle starting XI: Frei; Ragen, Bell, Kossa-Rienzi; Vargas, Roldan, Rusnak, Baker-Whiting; Rothrock, De la Vega, Musovski
PSG starting XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Doue
How to watch Seattle v PSG: TV and online streams
Kick-off on Monday is at 20:00 BST, with live coverage on DAZN.
DAZN subscribers or Freemium member can tune in as part of their existing membership, while non-subscribers can register for a free account to start watching.
Fans can watch on the go via the DAZN App on smart TVs, phones, tablets, games consoles and streaming devices.
