Lyon-Paris: Headliners

A look at the table

Currently sixth in Ligue 1 with 36 points, OL is experiencing a season of two contrasting halves. Initially struggling in the league, the Rhodaniens then established themselves as one of the best teams in the country until the winter break, before enduring a difficult January that cost Pierre Sage his position as coach. Since then, Paulo Fonseca has taken charge on the Lyon bench, and after a narrow 3-2 defeat, the Gones have secured two consecutive wins against struggling teams: Stade de Reims (4-0) followed by Montpellier HSC (1-4).

On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain have followed a very different trajectory: one of consistency. Performing well since the start of the season, the club from the capital is racking up victories and setting an unrelenting pace at the top of the table. Thanks to recent wins against Brest (2-5), Monaco (4-1) and Toulouse (0-1), the Rouge et Bleu now have accumulated 56 points after 22 matches played.

Form in numbers

The oppoSition’s strengths 

Paulo Fonseca and his team primarily set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal, Brazilian keeper Lucas Perri is the unanimous choice and will once again start against the Parisians. In front of him, Senegalese international Moussa Niakhaté is expected to line up alongside Clinton Mata, who has been repositioned to this role in recent weeks. This decision relegates Duje Caleta-Car to the bench, while Warmed Omari has never really managed to secure a spot in the Lyon starting eleven.

On the right side of the defence, the Portuguese coach has completely reshuffled his options in favor of the young Saïd Kumbedi (19 years old). The French under-21 international appears to have taken the place of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who was previously one of Pierre Sage’s mainstays.

There is no change, however, at left-back, where Nicolas Tagliafico continues to be a key figure in the Rhodaniens’ line-up. Nonetheless, Brazilian international Abner, who was decisive last week after coming on, remains a credible alternative for that position.

In midfield, the Gones’ coach seems to favour the double pivot of Tanner Tessmann and Nemanja Matic, despite both players having particularly defensive profiles. This choice could cost Jordan his place, as world champion Corentin Tolisso (with 6 goals and 5 assists in all competitions this season) is guaranteed to start the match. Having once again become indispensable to his team, the former Bayern Munich player is the true playmaker of Lyon’s game.

In order to better exploit his side’s attacking qualities, Paulo Fonseca attempted to position his vice-captain higher up the field, in a role where he could be replaced during the game by a certain Thiago Almada, who arrived this winter from Brazil. The technical leader of the Lyon side, Rayan Cherki (6 goals, 12 assists), is then expected to play in a wider position, where he could notably swap with his teammate Ernest Nuamah (3 goals, 2 assists), whose profile appeals to the Lyon staff. However, after being absent due to injury in recent weeks, the fleet-footed Malick Fofana (7 goals, 5 assists) is back with the OL group, and the Belgian international could well shake up the hierarchy at the winger position.

It remains to be seen who will be the attacker leading the Lyon attack this Sunday evening. A role initially promised to captain Alexandre Lacazette (10 goals, 2 assists), who has been less prominent this season and is seriously challenged by Georges Mikautadze (10 goals, 2 assists), another forward developed at the club who is also vying for a starting place. One thing is for sure: the Lyon side will have quality both on the pitch and off the bench. This promises our Rouge et Bleu a formidable opposition and a clash that should live up to all expectations on the Groupama Stadium pitch.