PSG vs. Lyon: Key Issues That Will Shape the Ligue 1 Clash
Olympique Lyonnais travel to the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 this Sunday wary that Paris Saint-Germain need to register a victory. The French champions have played five matches so far this season in Le Championnat and have only won two of them—both at home—drawing the other three on the road.
Laurent Blanc’s men are enduring a difficult start to the season, even though they remain unbeaten, with a 1-1 draw away at AFC Ajax in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday the latest in a string of frustrating results away from home.
As for Lyon, les Gones are on the up after a 2-1 victory over struggling AS Monaco at home last week. Like Blanc and PSG, it has also been a tough opening period for new OL coach Hubert Fournier with points dropped against the likes of Toulouse and FC Metz away from home, as well as a shock defeat to RC Lens at the Stade Gerland as well.
With their injured players now starting to return, Fournier’s side should be able to pose les Parisiens some sort of threat, but PSG will remain overwhelming favourites.
Here are some key issues that will shape this Sunday’s clash between two of Ligue 1’s heavyweight names.
PSG Under Pressure
1 of 4
PSG and, more specifically, Coach Blanc must win on Sunday. The pressure is mounting in the French capital at present, and a negative result could provoke major drama for the defending champions.
"L'Equipe front: 'Malaise at PSG'. Talk of dressing-room split, Cavani frustrated & owners 'keeping close eye' on Blanc. Barca in 2wks v imp
— Ben Lyttleton (@benlyt) September 19, 2014"
According to reports, les Parisiens’ dressing room is currently in turmoil, and added to the team’s early struggles on the pitch, it will not take much to add to Blanc’s growing list of headaches.
"Its all kicking off at PSG! Dressing room unrest, players critical of Blanc, French players unhappy with privileges Ibra & his friends get.
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) September 19, 2014"
With a clash with Barcelona on the horizon in the Champions League, it is imperative for PSG that they arrest their recent malaise and rediscover last season’s form. If they can’t, they might face more of a fight for this season’s Ligue 1 title than they expected, and their European ambitions could be left hanging by a thread.
Lyon’s Walking Wounded
2 of 4
Lyon might be the perfect opponent for a PSG side eager to reassert themselves after some patchy form. Despite last week’s victory over Monaco, coach Fournier has a number of players still missing, and les Gones are likely to still be some way from full-strength in the capital on Sunday.
First-team regulars Henri Bedimo, ex-PSG man Milan Bisevac, Gueida Fofana and Clement Grenier are all yet to make a single appearance this season because of injury. The much-maligned Yoann Gourcuff is only just making a return to the first team, so OL are still some way below their maximum strength.
PSG’s Blaise Malaise
3 of 4
One of coach Blanc’s biggest problems at PSG right now is getting the balance in midfield right. So far this season, Le President has opted for Javier Pastore over Blaise Matuidi in midfield in an effort to make the team more creative.
El Flaco has performed well, but the capital club’s formerly formidable midfield trio has lost some of its authority, and the current combination is not as effective as last season’s with Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi.
The French international was included against Ajax at the expense of Pastore, but the enigmatic Argentine playmaker could now find himself included in place of Lucas Moura after the Brazilian once again displayed his lack of clinical ability against the Dutch giants. Blanc must correct the balance in midfield if PSG are to get themselves back on track.
Lyon’s Sieve-Like Defence
4 of 4
Despite Lyon’s victory over Monaco last week, concerns still remain for Fournier over his defence. In fact, had it not been for Anthony Lopes in the hosts’ goal, Les Monegasques could well have won the encounter.
If OL are to stand any chance of winning Sunday’s match, they must improve defensively after conceding six goals in their first five games.
Admittedly that is difficult with Bisevac and Bedimo still out, but the likes of former PSG captain Christophe Jallet provide some experience, while Samuel Umtiti and Lindsay Rose are extremely capable young defenders.
Unfortunately for Lyon, so many of their players are young and inexperienced—especially in defence—that it makes going to the Parc des Princes and coming away with three points an extremely difficult task.
