Preview: Paris-Lorient

a look at the standings 

This match will be an opportunity for both teams to take their first points on the opening day of the 2023-2024 season. With a total of 27 wins, 4 draws and 7 defeats in the league last season, Paris Saint-Germain are putting their title on the line again after claiming an historic 11th title two months ago thanks to a total of 85 points.

FC Lorient, meanwhile, have enjoyed a more than satisfactory campaign. For the third season in a row since their return to the top flight, Lorient managed to finish in the top half of the table. With 15 wins, 10 draws and 13 defeats to their name, Régis Le Bris's players have amassed a total of 55 points. FCL's seductive style of play was one of the pleasant surprises of the Ligue 1 season.

As they embark on a new and exciting campaign, the Parisians will have to contend with a team that has once again demonstrated its qualities during its summer preparations, including two wins over Ligue 1 opponents (2-0 over Le Havre and 3-1 over Nantes).

a look back at the last game between the two teams 

The two sides met on Matchday 33 of the 2022-2023 season at the Parc des Princes on 30 April. It was a match that left a bad taste in the mouths of the Parisians, as the Rouge et Bleu lost 3-1. After looking dangerous in the early stages, Paris got off to a difficult start when Enzo Le Fée opened the scoring (0-1, 15'), before Achraf Hakimi was sent off five minutes later. It was a double blow that was to prove fatal for the club from the capital, as Darline Yongwa scored Lorient's second after the Parisians had managed to pull one back (1-2, 39').

In the second half, the Rouge et Bleu fought back and Danilo Pereira went close to equalising shortly after the hour mark, but Yvon Mvogo kept out a shot on the line. Down a man, Paris threw everything they had into the battle to try and break the deadlock, but to no avail. The visitors then took advantage of a late counter-attack to score a third through Bamba Dieng (1-3, 89'). At the end of a difficult encounter for the Parisians, it was Lorient who came out on top at the Porte de Saint-Cloud stadium. On Saturday evening, Marquinhos and his team-mates will no doubt be keen to erase that bad memory and get the new season off to the perfect start.

the opponents' strengths 

Régis Le Bris and his team mainly use a 5-2-3 system. In goal, Yvon Mvogo seems to have definitively got the better of his Italian colleague Vito Mannone. However, the Swiss keeper did not enjoy the highest save percentage in the league last season (71.4%). In central defence, four players will share the three starting spots. Montassar Talbi, the only Lorient player to have started 38 times in the league last season, has established himself as the boss of the defence. Alongside him, Julien Laporte would appear to be the best-placed player, while Bamo Meïté has recently been preferred to summer signing Formose Mendy from Amiens SC. On the right, the lively Gédéon Kalulu has established himself as an essential part of Lorient's line-up, despite the arrival of the promising Dembo Sylla, also from Ligue 2. At left-back, Vincent Le Goff looks comfortable. The experienced French defender is invaluable to his team, as he was the Lorient player who made the most progressive passes last season after Enzo Le Fée (178). He is likely to face competition from French international Benjamin Mendy, the Merlus' star signing of the summer.

In midfield, the pairing of Laurent Abergel and Jean-Victor Makengo holds the key. In fact, the former was the player who made the most tackles in the defensive area for his team last season (59). Nigerian international Bonke Innocent seems to be a bit behind in the pecking order, while Lorient have also renewed the loan of a certain Ayman Kari, who is still under contract with Paris and will return to the Morbihan this season. Up front, Romain Faivre (5 goals and 4 assists last season) seems to have inherited the role of playmaker following the departure of Enzo Le Fée. The former Lyon man was the attacking player with the most shots on target last season (56% on target from 25 attempts). Young Théo Le Bris (2 goals, 2 assists) would appear to be the best placed to partner him, although former Nancy player Julien Ponceau (1 goal, 4 assists) remains a plausible option. Finally, at the top of Lorient's attack, the speed and shooting ability of Bamba Dieng (5 goals, 1 assist) is one step ahead of the imposing physicality of Malian centre-forward Ibrahima Koné (9 goals, 1 assist).

A CLOSER LOOK AT A PARISIAN: DANILO PEREIRA

Having put in some solid performances during Paris Saint-Germain's summer preparations, Danilo Pereira will be one of the players to watch out for on the Paris side. Now beginning his fourth season in the Paris colours, the Portuguese international seems to be establishing himself as an increasingly important player, as demonstrated in his most recent game against Jeonbuk Hyundai last Thursday (97% of passes completed, 63% of duels won).

On Saturday evening, the club from the capital's No15 should have his say in the Parisian starting eleven, and could have the tough task of nullifying Lorient's counter-attacks. Last season, Danilo proved his worth against Les Merlus, scoring the winning goal for the Parisians in the first game at Le Moustoir (1-2). Let's hope the Portuguese player can repeat the feat this Saturday, this time at the Parc des Princes.