Preview: Lyon-Paris

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

Paris Saint-Germain began their Coupe de France adventure with a comprehensive 9-0 victory. In the next round, the capital club defeated US Orléans (National 1, D3) 1-4 at the Stade la Source, before going on to beat Stade Brestois 29 3-1 in the Round of 16 and then OGC Nice 3-1 in the quarter-finals, both at the Parc des Princes. In the semi-finals, the Les Rouge et Bleu shone once again at the Porte d'Auteuil, seeing off tough opposition in the shape of Stade Rennais FC (1-0).

Olympique Lyonnais, meanwhile, enjoyed a similar run of form. After a 3-0 win over CA Pontarlier (National 3, D5) in the Round of 32, they avoided the trap in the Round of 16 against Bergerac (National 2, 1-2). Les Gones then won their Round of 16 clash with Lille at Groupama Stadium (2-1). In the next round, Lyon faced RC Strasbourg Alsace, but had to wait for a penalty shoot-out to reach the last four of the competition (0-0, 4-3 on penalties). In the semi-finals, the Rhone-Alpes also made it three on home soil, beating Valenciennes FC (Ligue 2, 3-0).

THE DYNAMICS

This Saturday evening, Paris Saint-Germain will be aiming to win the 15th Coupe de France in club history when they contest their 20th final in the competition - both of which stats are records in France. And for our captain Marquinhos, this final is an opportunity to win his sixth Coupe de France, which would set a new record for titles won by an individual in the history of the competition. Les Rouge et Bleu have lost just one of their last 53 Coupe de France matches ( two draws, one defeat). The doyenne of national competitions is a favourite of the Parisians, who have scored in all but one of their last 53 matches in the competition.

As for Olympique Lyonnais, the Rhône-based club is the one that has beaten Paris the most in the 21st century, with 28 victories against the capital club. OL also enjoy the Coupe de France, and are the only club to have won all five finals they have contested in the competition. And even when they concede the opening goal, Les Rhodaniens refuse to give up, having won 7 matches after falling behind in all competitions in 2024. These performances coincide with the appointment of Pierre Sage as first-team coach, who has won 70% of his matches in all competitions on the Lyon bench since his arrival (19/27), the best ratio in the history of an OL coach.

OPPOSING STRENGTHS

Pierre Sage and his team are mainly playing a 4-3-3 system. In goal, Anthony Lopes is the usual starter, but until now Lucas Perri has been in charge of the Lyon goal in the Coupe de France. In central defence, the Jake O'Brien-Duje Caleta-Car duo is expected to line up, while Dejan Lovren is now a substitute and Adryelson and Sinaly Diomandé do not seem to fit into the plans of the OL coach. At right-back, Angolan international Clinton Mata has the edge and should be preferred to the versatile Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who can also play in midfield.

At the other end of the pitch, Argentina's world champion Nicolás Tagliafico should start, as he is almost always preferred to Henrique. In midfield, winter signing Nemanja Matic has already become indispensable and the Serbian international is expected to line up alongside French duo Corentin Tolisso and Maxence Caqueret, who have a head start over Belgian international Orel Mangala. Paul Akouokou, Mahamadou Diawara and the returning Johann Lepenant have not been given a chance in midfield in recent weeks and are unlikely to feature against the Parisians.

In attack, the battle rages between the impact of Ernest Nuamah (three goals and two assists in all competitions this season) and the unpredictable dribbling of Rayan Cherki (three goals and eight assists). Two different profiles will be vying for the starting berth on the right wing, while Saïd Benrahma (three goals, four assists) is expected to start on the left flank. The Algerian international, who arrived in the Rhône region this winter, is performing well, ahead of the promising Malick Fofana (four goals, one assist), who is set to take advantage of his recent good starts to make an appearance in midfield.

Finally, in the centre-forward position, it is the indispensable Alexandre Lacazette (22 goals, five assists), once again the author of an impressive season, who will lead his team. The OL captain could be backed up by Gift Orban (three goals) or Mama Baldé (two goals, three assists), who is once again making a difference after a long spell in the doldrums. Faced with a revitalised defence, an experienced midfield and an attacking line brimming with confidence, Les Rouge et Bleu will have a major challenge on their hands this Saturday if they are to topple Lyon and bring the Coupe de France back to the capital...