Toulouse vs. PSG Preview

By: Dave Trotter | October 18th, 2009

didot Another Sunday, and another possible loss for Toulouse.

Unlike last year, Le Tef has been far from impressive this season. Even with the high-flying Andre-Pierre Gignac, the team has failed to produce many goals. So far, Moussa Sissoko is the leading scorer with three goals this year. Originally brought through the Toulouse youth system as a defensive midfielder, he has show for both club and country that he might be better as an attacking midfielder.

Still, this year, Toulouse’s #1 striker Andre-Pierre Gignac has only dented the net once in a 3-1 victory against St. Etienne. Since that match, Gignac has had a number of chances on goal, but has failed to produce anything.

In order for Toulouse to pull of an impressive win at home today, they will have to strengthen up their back line. This year, the defense have taken a number of hits, most notably the loss of Mauro Cetto in central defense. Since Cetto’s departure, defensive midfielder Etienne Capoue has done a great job in the back. “It is not a surprise that I have been able to adapt to the defender position from the defensive midfield position. It is basically playing the same position, but 20 meters back,” said Capoue to La Depeche du Midi, Toulouse’s daily newspaper.

Unfortunately for Capoue and the rest of the defense, www.psg.com has reported that Peguy Luyindula, Mevlut Erding are healthy and will suit up for PSG today. And more bad news for Gignac, Claude Makelele should be available for PSG as well. A team that looked like they might have suffered looks like most of their squad should be available, especially their striking force.

So, what to expect from Toulouse? With so many injured players, maybe there will be a change in lineup. Usually Etienne Didot, a great floating midfielder, is a main part of the midfield. But with his absence, it looks like there might be a change up in their formation.

Alain Casanova usually runs a 4-2-3-1, the formation he has gone with all year long, with the exception to a 2-0 win against Le Mans, where Toulouse bolstered up their defense. Maybe they will need to do that today as well.

Here is the starting lineup that should be expected from Toulouse:

Pele

Congres – Capoue – Nounkeu – Mbengue

Breson

Braaten – Sissoko – Machado – Tabanou

Gignac

Still, not all is bad news for Toulouse. Brazilian midfielder and forward, Luan, is now available for Le Tef. Luan, who was brought in this year from São Caetano in Brazil, gives Toulouse a little extra striking power from the left hand side. And with Etienne Didot out, this might be the perfect time to start putting Luan into the Toulouse starting eleven.

Prediction was 2-1 for PSG, but I think I might change it to 3-1 PSG. Unlike Thomas’ post, I am not so optimistic about Le Tef.