Lens vs. PSG: Key Issues That Will Shape Ligue 1 Game

Paris Saint-Germain make the short journey across Paris to the Stade de France on Friday to take on RC Lens in an “away” Ligue 1 clash.

Because of renovations this season at the northerners’ spiritual home, the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Antoine Kombouare’s men are playing the majority of their matches at the Stade de la Licorne in Amiens. Meanwhile, they play their biggest games—against Le Championnat’s leading lights, such as PSG—in Saint-Denis.

After a demanding recent international break, Les Parisiens coach Laurent Blanc will be grateful that his team have been spared a lengthy journey across France for the encounter.

With a trip to Cyprus to face APOEL in the UEFA Champions League early next week, it is important that the French champions hit the ground running against a side they have not lost to in 10 meetings in all competitions.

Lens are currently 18th in the Ligue 1 table, just two points ahead of EA Guingamp at the bottom, and Les Sang et Or will be desperate for some points to ease their struggles.

Here are some key issues that will shape Friday’s clash between Lens and PSG. 

Thiago Silva Return from Injury

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PSG coach Blanc is currently battling an injury crisis, with a number of first-team stars expected to miss the Lens encounter.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has not featured for over three weeks now, while David Luiz, Thiago Motta, Marquinhos and Ezequiel Lavezzi have also fallen foul of injuries over the past few weeks.

However, it does look as if captain Thiago Silva will be fit in time to face the northerners on Friday after missing more than two months with a hamstring problem.

The Brazilian international was back in training at the start of the week, according to the club's official website, so he should be able to take up a central defensive role alongside veteran Zoumana Camara.

Silva’s return to the back line will give the defence some much needed authority and organisation. 

Can Antoine Kombouare Outwit His Former Employers?

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Back in late December of 2011, Kombouare led PSG to a 1-0 win away at AS Saint-Etienne to finish the year top of Ligue 1.

Despite sitting pretty at the top of the domestic tree, it was not enough to keep the fan favourite in his job. Just over a week after entering the winter break as league leaders, the 50-year-old was sacked and replaced by Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.

PSG would go on to be beaten to the title by a deserving Montpellier HSC side, while Kombouare was left to lick his wounds. The Frenchman eventually was appointed coach of Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal FC, before returning to France one year later.

Because Lens were in Ligue 2 last season, Kombouare has not yet had the chance to face his former employers since he was unceremoniously dumped in 2011. The canny tactician could call upon his knowledge of some of the current PSG team to engineer a shock victory on Friday. 

Will the Real Edinson Cavani Stand Up?

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Friday’s meeting with Lens is extremely important for PSG’s Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan striker has been misfiring of late for the capital club and was recently left out of La Celeste’s squad by coach Oscar Tabarez so that Les Parisiens’ No. 9 can concentrate on his club form.

After a fortnight of rest, El Matador comes into the clash at the Stade de France knowing that he really must start seizing his chances to impress in Ibrahimovic’s absence.

Without a goal since the 1-1 draw at home against Olympique Lyonnais almost one month ago, Cavani needs to rebuild his confidence by finding the back of the net in a match that PSG could—and arguably should—win comfortably. 

Lens Squad Depth Issues

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PSG coach Blanc is not the only one with personnel issues ahead of Friday’s clash with Lens. His opposite number, Kombouare, is also missing a number of important first-team players and might not even be able to boast a complete 18-man matchday squad.

Ahmed Kantari and Wylan Cyprien are suspended, meaning that the Lens boss only has 16 senior players to choose from.

Although Les Sang et Or look inexperienced at the best of times because of their inability to sign players over the summer, Moroccan international Kantari is one of the group’s most experienced members and a former PSG player. Meanwhile, Cyprien is one of the club’s most promising youth academy graduates.

Kombouare is already up against it in Ligue 1 this season, but the 50-year-old is faced with mission impossible against his former club. Should Lens even emerge with a point from this encounter, it should be hailed as a minor miracle.