Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain begin the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League with the visit of a new look Atalanta side to the Parc des Princes in the French capital.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Paris Saint-Germain preview: Brilliant Parisiens
Last season, Paris Saint-Germain won their first ever treble with a remarkable run in the second-half of the campaign, culminating in a 5-0 demolition of Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Luis Enrique’s Parisiens head into this one on the back of easing past Lens by two goals to nil in Ligue 1 at the weekend, to mean that they have started the defence of their French title with four victories from four matches.
Atalanta preview: Change in Bergamo
Over the summer, Atalanta lost manager Gian Piero Gasperini to Roma and he was replaced by former Southampton boss Ivan Juric, who oversaw the Saints’ humiliating relegation from the Premier League last season.
The former Torino manager has had to oversee a turbulent summer transfer window for the Bergamasci, too, but Atalanta did at least manage to earn themselves a much-needed 4-1 hammering of Lecce at the Gewiss Stadium at the weekend.
Paris Saint-Germain team news: Kvaradona a doubt
The excellent Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was forced off through injury against Lens, and so he is a doubt for this one. French duo Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele are both confirmed absentees.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Mbaye, Ramos, Barcola
Unavailable: Doue (Injured), Dembele (Injured)
Questionable: Kvaratskhelia (Injured)
Atalanta team news: Still no Lookman
Ademola Lookman has been included in Atalanta’s UEFA Champions League squad, but Ivan Juric has confirmed he is omitted from their opener as a result of him trying to force through a move away this summer.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Scalvini; Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Sulemana; Krstovic
Unavailable: Kolasinac (Injured), Bakker (Injured), Ederson (Injured), Lookman (Disciplinary), Scamacca (Injured)
Questionable:
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta prediction
Paris Saint-Germain haven’t quite been as slick as the second-half of last season, undoubtedly because of a shortened pre-season, and they do have injuries to deal with for this one. However, despite that, they remain the strongest side in Europe and now welcome an Atalanta side that, albeit they did beat a poor Lecce side the other day, look set to regress this season, and a comfortable home win remains the likeliest outcome.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta Tip: Paris Saint-Germain to win -1 handicap
