Donnarumma in line for PSG return in Trophee des Champions

Gianluigi Donnarumma could return to action for Paris Saint-Germain when they face Monaco in the Trophee des Champions on Sunday after recovering from a facial injury.

PSG came back from 2-1 down to win 4-2 at Monaco in Ligue 1 on December 18, but had to replace Donnarumma midway through the first half after a dangerous challenge by Wilfried Singo, who is banned for this game, left the goalkeeper with a gashed face.

The 25-year-old Italian needed to be urgently stitched up by the club doctor on the pitch to stop the bleeding, and has not played since.

“All three goalkeepers are fit to play and available for tomorrow,” Luis Enrique told a press conference on Saturday.

“There is no problem concerning any of them, any of the three could play. I will decide tomorrow who will. Everyone is in good shape, and we have one more training session.”

The Spanish coach has brought his entire team to Doha, Qatar, including some of the players who had been rumoured to leave PSG during the January transfer window.

“It seemed interesting to me to leave together to start the year and the second part of the season together,” Luis Enrique said.

“It’s a final, which is always a special game with a title at stake, so that means the more united we are, the better.

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“The [league] game against Monaco was an excellent match for the supporters.

“We had control from the beginning. Despite that, Monaco made a good start to the second half. It’s normal that there are certain phases against such a team.

“The result reflected the fact that we were better, but it’s true that the game was open. I expect a good match tomorrow.”

PSG will play their 17th Trophee des Champions final, at least seven more times than any other team (10 for Lyon). They have won 12 of the previous 16, including each of the last two seasons.

They have won their opening game of a calendar year on 20 of the last 22 occasions (D1 L1), drawing against Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 in 2021 (1-1) and losing against Lens in Ligue 1 in 2023 (1-3).

Luis Enrique said that, with Sunday’s game being a final, emotions were guaranteed to run high.

“It’s a final between the two best teams in the championship, so of course it will be difficult,” he said.

“We will need to be at a high level to beat Monaco. [But] we are motivated, prepared, and looking forward to the game tomorrow.”

With their comeback victory at Monaco, PSG extended their unbeaten run in the league this season to 16 games.

Alongside Serie A side Juventus, the French champions are the only unbeaten team remaining in Europe’s top five leagues in this campaign.