Paris Saint Germain will kick off their Champions League defence at home to Atlanta on Wednesday evening. It will not be an easy encounter as Atlanta were one of the best sides in Serie A last season. This season they have not got off to a great start drawing two and winning one of their first three league games.
This is alarming considering that they have played Leece, Parma and Pisa. This contrasts to Les Parisiens who have won all four league games. The French champions were relatively comfortable in their 2-0 win over Lens on the weekend.
The European champions will want to do better in the league phase this season as they just about managed to progress to the knockout phase of the competition last season. Luis Enrique's side had difficult opponents in the league phase last season such as Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Man City and Atletico Madrid.
They grew into the tournament once they reached the knockout phase and played against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa before Inter Milan in the final. They produced once of the most one sided final we have seen in a while when they defeated an ageing Inter Milan side 5-0 at the Allianz Arena.
The πͺππππππππ π³πππππ is back β¨
β Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 15, 2025
2 days until Atalanta Bergamo@qatarairways pic.twitter.com/RuRuwSsfqM
Here is our preview of PSG vs Atlanta for the first game of PSG defence of the Champions League.
PSG vs Atlanta : Preview, Prediction & Lineups
When is kick off? Wednesday 17th September, 2025
Where is it played? Parc Des Princes
What time is kick-off? 8:00 pm (UK) and 3:00 pm (USA)
Referee: Sandro Scharer
How to watch PSG vs Atlanta on TV ? Paramount+ (USA) and TNT Sports 3 (UK)
PSG team news
Luis Enrique will not be able to field his strongest side as several key players are currently out with an injury. Prior to the game on the weekend against Lens Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue were injured on the international break for France. Three other crucial components of Luis Enrique's side are now injured in the shapes of Khvicha (bruised shin), Lee Kang-in (ankle) and Lucas Beraldo (ankle).
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Mbaye, Ramos, Barcola.
Atalanta team news:
Atlanta are equally as unfortunate on the injury font as they will be without Gianluca Scammaca (knee inflamation) , Sead Kolasinac (ACL) and Ederson (knee) while Ademola Lookman is on a self-imposed exile.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Maldini; Krstovic
Prediction: PSG 3-1 Atlanta BC
The European champions should have enough to get over the line against Atlanta as they are the better side on paper. They should be rejuvanated as some key players will return to the starting eleven following a rest on the weekend.