Paris Saint-Germain will aim to kick off their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign with a statement when they face Atlético de Madrid at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 15.
Fresh off their historic 5-0 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, PSG enter Group B as favourites, while Atlético, who finished third-place in La Liga last season, look to prove their mettle in this expanded 32-team tournament.
Match Preview
Paris Saint-Germain are riding high after their dominant Champions League triumph on May 31, 2025, where they showcased their attacking prowess with goals from Achraf Hakimi, a brace from Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Sénny Mayulu. Under Luis Enrique, PSG have transformed into a cohesive unit, moving away from their star-heavy past to a youthful, dynamic squad. They’ve scored 11 goals in their last three competitive matches, conceding just once.
However, their defensive record has shown occasional vulnerabilities, with only three clean sheets in their last eight games across all competitions. PSG have only faced Atlético once in a competitive match, suffering a 2-1 defeat against the Spanish giants in the group stages of the Champions League in November 2024.
Atlético de Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, are known for their gritty, disciplined style. Their recent La Liga campaign saw them secure a Champions League spot, but they struggled for consistency.
However, they did win three of their four matches before the Club World Cup. Their 4-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the 2024-25 Champions League group stage exposed defensive frailties, though they’ve kept four clean sheets in their last 10 games.
As indicated by our latest football facts, the Spanish side has a strong record in high-stakes matches, but their attacking output has been less prolific this season. Simeone’s team has found their shooting boots in recent games, scoring 12 goals in their last four competitive outings. Atlético will rely on their tactical nous to counter PSG’s flair.
Team News
Paris Saint-Germain: Luis Enrique is likely to stick with the core of his Champions League-winning side. Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to start in goal, with a back four of Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, William Pacho, and Nuno Mendes. The midfield trio of Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha, and João Neves should provide control, while Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are set to lead the attack.
Atlético de Madrid: Diego Simeone may deploy a 5-3-2 formation to stifle PSG’s attack. Jan Oblak will start in goal, with a backline of Clement Lenglet, José Giménez, Robin Le Normand, Marcos Llorente, and Javi Galán. Midfielders Koke, Pablo Barrios, and Rodrigo De Paul will aim to disrupt PSG’s rhythm, while Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez spearhead the attack. Álvaro Morata is a potential substitute to add firepower.
PSG possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia
Atlético de Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galán; Koke, Barrios, De Paul; Griezmann, Álvarez
We Say: PSG 2-1 Atlético de Madrid
PSG’s attacking momentum and depth make them slight favourites, but Atlético’s defensive resilience and counter-attacking threat could keep this match tight. Expect PSG’s flair to edge out a narrow victory, with Kvaratskhelia or Doué likely to make the difference.
