On the eve of Fontenay vs Paris Saint-Germain, scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 PM CET, the first lineup trends are beginning to emerge for this Coupe de France Round of 32 clash. On the PSG side, a heavy rotation is expected following Wednesday’s Intercontinental Cup final — though the Parisian lineup should still look strong on paper.
This match will mark PSG’s 67th and final game of the 2025 calendar year, an extraordinary campaign that many would happily see continue. Instead, the year will close in Nantes against Vendée Fontenay Foot, currently fifth in their National 3 group. The Coupe de France setting should allow several regular substitutes — and young players — to start.
PSG: Heavy rotation expected
Luis Enrique will be without Achraf Hakimi and Ibrahim Mbaye, both away at the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as Lee Kang-in, who was injured against Flamengo. Willian Pacho and Marquinhos could also be rested, while heavily used players such as Vitinha are likely to start on the bench.
In goal, Lucas Chevalier could return to the starting XI, unless Luis Enrique opts to give Renato Marin his first senior start.
A potential debut for David Boly?
Defensively, the match could mark a first-team debut for David Boly, a highly rated 16-year-old right-back who trained with the senior squad on Friday. In central defense, Ilya Zabarnyi and Lucas Beraldo are expected to start, with Lucas Hernandez on the left.
In midfield, João Neves, Vitinha, and Fabián Ruiz could all be rested — or at least two of the three. Warren Zaïre-Emery may move into a holding midfield role, flanked by Senny Mayulu and Quentin Ndjantou.
Up front, Gonçalo Ramos is expected to lead the line, with Désiré Doué on the left and Ousmane Dembélé on the right.
Possible PSG lineup:
Chevalier (or Marin) – Boly, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, Hernandez – Ndjantou, Zaïre-Emery, Mayulu – Dembélé, Ramos, Doué
Fontenay likely to adopt a defensive setup
Vendée Fontenay Foot, who convincingly beat Châteauroux (4–1) in the previous round, are expected to line up in a 5-4-1 formation, similar to the system used by coach Loïc Lambert in that match.
PSG will need to watch out for Fodé Diawara, the Guinean striker who has already scored three goals in this season’s Coupe de France, including a brace against Châteauroux. Another threat is Joey Millimono, Fontenay’s top scorer in National 3 with four goals this season.
Possible Fontenay lineup:
N. Renou – Vinet, Moisdon, Brémond, Leriche, Fromaget – Keita, Belbachir (c), Bisleau, Millimono – Diawara
A rotated PSG squad, a motivated underdog, and a classic Coupe de France atmosphere — all the ingredients are there for an intriguing end to PSG’s historic 2025.