Paris v Basel: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Article summary
Unai Emery chalked Paris's occasional listless displays to fluctuating confidence as he geared the French champions up for their first encounter with Basel.
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Article body
- Emery says his players "expect a tough match" against Basel
- Paris have lost just once in 39 matches on home turf
- Thiago Motta out injured
- Cavani has scored 15 goals in his last 11 appearances
- Basel have won seven out of eight on their travels this season
- Paris up against Swiss opponents for the first time
Possible line-ups
Paris: Aréola; Aurier, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Maxwell; Verratti, Krychowiak, Matuidi; Lucas, Cavani, Di María.
Out: Pastore (calf), Thiago Motta (buttock)
Misses next match if booked: Thiago Motta
Basel: Vaclík; Lang, Suchý, Høegh, Traoré; Xhaka, Zuffi; Bjarnason, Delgado, Steffen; Doumbia.
Out: Akanji (fitness)
Doubtful: Traoré (unknown), Šporar (ill)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Unai Emery, Paris coach
The Champions League is the best club competition in the world and every team in it deserves their place. The players expect a tough match, but we'll try to play with our usual personality and motivation. We want to win but also to perform well, with intensity and quality, although Basel will be motivated too. We have some players who aren't at their best, but it's just a matter of confidence.
Urs Fischer, Basel coach
Paris aren't at the level of Sevilla yet, but you can see the stamp of their coach. They need time, but they play at a very high level and it will be a very difficult task. We'll need a lot of courage and conviction. I was asked earlier if we'd made a trip to the Eiffel Tower. Of course not! We want to continue in Europe, but talking about it doesn't matter – we have to translate that to the pitch.
Weekend results
Nancy 1-2 Paris (A Diarra 55; Lucas 13, Cavani 18)
Edinson Cavani made it 15 goals in his last 11 outings for club and country, while Lucas has now found the net in four of his last six Ligue 1 appearances.
Basel 3-0 Luzern (Doumbia 25, M. Lang 55, Elyounoussi 89)
Basel bounced back from a loss and a draw in their previous two matches to cement their place at the Swiss Super League summit.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Paris: WWWLWW
Basel: WDLWWW
Reporter's view: Chris Burke (@UEFAcomChrisB)
With five wins from their last six games – not all of them convincing – Paris slowly look to be finding a little rhythm. Just as well too, as their two upcoming fixtures against Basel will determine whether or not they can cut the Swiss side adrift in Group A and focus on clinching top spot from a position of strength. Expect in-form Cavani to be hungry to extend his superb goalscoring streak, though the Uruguay forward is surely due an off-day soon – and Paris could do with showing they are not overly reliant on their No9.
Did you know?
Paris have lost just once in their last 41 European home matches – who beat them? Find out more in our extensive match background.