Lyon will be keen to secure their first points of the Ligue 1 campaign when they welcome PSG on Sunday night
Lyon and PSG have both not had the best of starts this season and will face off against each other at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday.
Buoyed by new players and new management, Paris Saint-Germain usher in yet another era as they chase domestic and continental glory. While unbeaten, PSG have picked up just five points from their first three games of the Ligue 1 campaign, something below par given their recent dominance.
Lyon, meanwhile, have lost two of their opening three games and are currently winless in this season’s competitions. This has seen them flirt with relegation and occupy the unfamiliar depths of the 19th spot. Leicester City and Leeds United showed last season that no big team is big enough to go down and Lyon will do well to get their act together and get their campaign back on track.
Bradley Barcola moved from Lyon to PSG last month and could make his debut for the champions at his old home ground. Surely Lyon will hope that their former prodigy will have an off day.
It promises to be a hard-fought game with both sides seeking all three points. PSG will be keen to return the favour following their 1-0 loss at Parc des Princes in their most recent meeting. There should be some fireworks especially in the middle of the park. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might implement.
Team News & Tactics
Lyon
He's back π pic.twitter.com/QjhpGLckYO
— Olympique Lyonnais π¬π§πΊπΈ (@OL_English) August 29, 2023
The home side go into the clash against the defending champions with their lowest points tally at this stage of the season in 31 years. Unless something changes fast, this could prove to be a long campaign for Les Gones.
Manager Laurent Blanc did not help matters either by claiming that he should be sacked in the aftermath of their 4-1 home loss to SC Montpellier on Matchday two. While Lyon did manage to secure a point on Matchday three, they have been far from convincing so far this season.
Having taken just one point against PSG in their last five home encounters, Lyon could not have asked for a tougher opponent at this stage. After all, the visitors are also keen to get back on a winning run and secure their hold on the Ligue 1 title.
Lyon will be without goal-getter Alexandre Lacazette, who is suspended following his sending-off against Montpellier. Dejan Lovren is ruled out with injury, making life harder for the home side. Anthony Lopes is back in training, but it remains to be seen if he will go straight back into the playing XI.
A 4-3-3 appears to be the way ahead for Lyon on the night. The formation should give Blanc the flexibility to revert to a 4-5-1 when not in possession and also a 4-2-3-1 depending on their grip in the midfield.
Remy Riou should deputise in goal behind the back four of Sael Kumbedi, Duje Caleta-Car, Sinaly Diomande and Nicolas Tagliafico. Corentin Tolisso and Johann Lepenant are likely to form the double pivot, with Maxence Caqueret acting as the number 10 and making forward forays.Β Tino Kadewere should lead the line, with Rayan Cherki and Ernest Nuamah in support.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Riou; Kumbedi, Caleta-Car, Diomande, Tagliafico; Tolisso, Lepenant, Caqueret; Nuamah, Kadewere, Cherki
Paris Saint-Germain
It has been a summer of change at the Parc des Princes and several players have left or joined PSG. With the window now closed, all the attention will be focused on the on-field performances as they look to begin a new era of dominance.
Luis Enrique’s side are yet unbeaten this season but have failed to look unconvincing so far. With several new faces in the fray, it is bound to take some time for them to gel together.
The Catalan manager will be without Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes and Nordi Mukiele all of whom are out injured. Sergio Rico and Lee Kang-in are also likely to miss out with Juan Bernat a doubt. Goncalo Ramos also missed the start of the season and it remains to be seen if he will be ready for the game on Sunday.
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π Lyon
π 3/9 – 15h45 (BR)
π Groupama Stadium@visitrwanda_now I #OLPSG pic.twitter.com/MFwt3Bto8A— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSGbrasil) September 1, 2023
Former Lyon talent Bradley Barcola could make his debut for PSG against his former side. However, he is likely to come off the bench if included in the matchday squad. French ace Randal Kolo Muani also completed his move to PSG on the deadline day. But it will come as a surprise if he is declared available for the game.
PSG are likely to tick with Enrique’s favoured 4-3-3 formation that will offer him the tactical flexibility to respond to situations. Gianluigi Donnarumma is a sure starter in goal behind the backline of Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar and Lucas Hernandez.
Manuel Ugarte has been a bundle of energy in the middle of the park for PSG and should retain his role alongside Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha. Marco Asensio impressed in a central role last time around and should reprise it on the night with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Ugarte, Vitinha; Dembele, Asensio, Mbappe
Key Stats
- Lyon have defeated PSG six times in the QSI era, a tally that is bettered only by Rennes in that time period.Β A win on the night will see Lyon win consecutive Ligue 1 clashes against PSG for the first time since 2007/08.
- Lyon have failed to defeat PSG in their last four Ligue 1 games at home.
- Lyon have picked up just one point from their opening three Ligue 1 games this season. This is their worst such start to a top-flight campaign since 1992-93 where they finished 14th.
- PSG have picked up five points from their first four Ligue 1 games this season. Since QSI took over, the club has not attained less than six points at the end of matchday four.
- Should they lose on the night, it will be the first time since 1997/98 that Lyon will have started their Ligue 1 campaign with consecutive home losses.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
The French superstar was heavily linked with an exit in the summer but will now at least stay on at PSG for another season. The last of their vaunted front three still at Parc des Princes, Mbappe has netted three goals in two games so far and is the club’s most dangerous player going forward.
Lyon are there for the taking and Mbappe could have a field day should the home side fail to show up. It will come as a surprise should the PSG ace fail to find the back of the net.
Prediction
Lyon 0-2 PSG
While the game is likely to be hard fought, PSG’s quality on the field and in reserve should prove decisive. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the visitors on the night.
