Juan Bernat ruled out, changes expected in PSG's starting XI

PSG will host Clermont for one final game at the Parc des Princes this season and everybody seems to share a consensus opinion on who will be on the pitch and donning the 2023/24 kit of PSG, expected to make a fresh debut this evening months ahead of next season.

Although everything pointed toward a defensive line welcoming back the pairing of Marquinhos (injured) and Achraf Hakimi (suspended) after they missed games of late, there is going to be a new player hitting the shelves this weekend: Spanish left-back Juan Bernat.

After clinching the title in Strasbourg (1-1), Galtier will have to change his starting XI for the game against Clermont whether he likes that or not. In general terms, the team will remain the same, although it will feature serious changes in the wing-back positions.

In goal, Donnarumma is expected for this match and the three-man defense in front of the Italian goalkeeper should be made up of Danilo, Marquinhos, and the departing Sergio Ramos--the latter playing his final game at PSG before becoming a free agent in July.

The full-back positions are seemingly going to be occupied by Hakimi (on the left side) and Timothee Pembele, the latter his natural right position considering he's way more inexperienced.

Bernat's absence should not have any further impact on the starting lineup, with the midfield expected to feature Renato Sanches and Vitinha, along with Marco Verratti. The remaining two positions will go to soon-to-be-gone Lionel Messi and face-of-the-team Kylian Mbappe with the latter chasing his fifth consecutive top-goalscorer title.

It remains to be seen if the Parisian team is capable of demonstrating its superiority on the field (sometimes it is difficult for them) in the final game of the season.

Although PSG will be playing their final Ligue 1 game at home, they will tone down the title celebrations considering the life-threatening status of goalkeeper Sergio Rico, who remains in care at the hospital following his near-fatal accident a few days ago.