Pochettino saw Messi arrive at PSG this week to huge fanfare and frenzied public acclaim with his fellow Argentine greeted by thousands of fans and media at the Parc des Princes. Having already seen Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum bolster his squad in a high-profile summer transfer window, Pochettino now has arguably the greatest player of all time to call upon in a bid to take PSG to the summit of club football.

Pochettino's job is now to slot the ex-Barcelona man into a side already featuring the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé to ensure his expensively assembled squad, which looks awe-inspiring on paper, is all-conquering on the pitch.

"The aim is to make a top team from all these top players. It's an immense challenge that we are taking on with enthusiasm. We're going to have to work out how to all work together to create a dynamic in which each can find his role. If we don't play together and don't work hard enough, it'll be difficult to play as we want to. We'll have to have the constant feeling that we are a demanding and united team," said Pochettino in Friday's pre-match press conference.

"I'm the PSG coach and I want to have the best players, just like the other coaches. We have a very well balanced squad. Messi's arrival produced something that everyone can feel. We know that Messi is the best player in the world or one of the best.

"We have several players and Mbappé is also one of the best players in the world. We have to ensure that all these talents are put at the service of the team, that it's fluid, so that we can create something significant in the team."

Having only just returned to training following Argentina's successful Copa America campaign this summer, Messi will not feature on the pitch against Strasbourg, nor will Ramos, Juan Bernat, Idrissa Gueye or Colin Dagba.

'Exceptional work'

But despite the 34-year-old icon not being in action, there is certain to be a magical atmosphere at PSG's first competitive home game of the 2021/22 campaign, and even Pochettino acknowledged he and his technical staff also have the feeling of being kids at Christmas.

"Leo's arrival sparked the same reaction from us as it does the players. We feel the enthusiasm and the positive energy," the former Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur manager explained. "As a coach, you always want to have the best players to improve the team.

"The exceptional work of the club and [sporting director] Leonardo has to be highlighted in getting us a player of this quality. We're excited by Leo's arrival, we know what he represents as a player."

While PSG squeezed a 2-1 win out of their season-opening encounter at Troyes last weekend thanks to goals from Hakimi and Mauro Icardi, Strasbourg were beaten 2-0 at home by Angers to give new coach Julien Stéphan a losing start to his tenure in Alsace.

"We're disappointed with Sunday's game, because there were some good things. The game turned sour for us on just a few small details. We'll have to use that experience to do better this weekend," said Stéphan, who acknowledged his team will almost be a sideshow in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

"We're outsiders, for sure, but we mustn't go there as victims. Of course it's going to be difficult when you play Paris, especially now with all that's happening. We're perhaps going to have to defend more than last week, but when we have the ball we have to try and cause them problems."

Polish full-back Karol Fila makes the travelling squad despite requiring stitches in a head wound caused by a high foot from Angers' Thomas Mangani. Ghana international striker Majeed Waris also features despite suffering a foot injury in training this week while former PSG striker Kevin Gameiro could face his old club as Stéphan seeks to spring a huge surprise and poop the welcome party for Messi.

"It seems that the scoreline is already accepted, that it'll be a big win for Paris, but we're going to try and make it difficult for them," said the ex-Rennes boss, who succeeded Thierry Laurey this summer. "We're totally detached from Messi's arrival. It doesn't change our approach to the game. Having said that, his arrival is a great opportunity for Ligue 1. Speaking personally, it's brilliant."

Probable teams

PSG: Navas; Hakimi, Kehrer, Kimpembe, Diallo; Herrera, Danilo, Wijnaldum; Draxler, Icardi, Mbappé

Strasbourg: Sels; Perrin, Sissoko, Djiku; Caci, Prcic, Ahoulou, Liénard; Thomasson; Gameiro, Ajorque

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