This Sunday, April 19th, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) faces Olympique Lyonnais (5th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 8:45 PM, CET) for Matchday 30 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. And as before every match, here is a preview of PSG’s opponent.
Lyon’s situation –
Lyon is emerging from a period of significant sporting and financial turmoil. Several coaches have come and gone, without fully convincing, until the arrival of Paulo Fonseca in January 2025. With almost a year in charge, this is a considerable length of time compared to his predecessors. A particularly significant factor is that he has been suspended in France since March and until November 30th, meaning he will not be on the bench due to an altercation with a referee.
On the financial front, Lyon narrowly avoided relegation last summer and had to fight to avoid administrative relegation. Naturally, the transfer window was largely focused on departures. Nevertheless, there were some good signings, and OL had a respectable season despite some difficult periods: a 5th place finish in Ligue 1, elimination in the Coupe de France quarter-finals on penalties against Lens, and elimination at the same stage of the Europa League against Celta Vigo. The challenge now is to get back on track financially in order to move forward again. Qualifying for the Champions League would be a huge boost.
Summer Transfer Window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Winter Transfer Window 2025/2026 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season, Lyon has the 8th best attack in Ligue 1 with 43 goals scored (PSG has 61, and Auxerre has 23), and the 3rd best defense with 29 goals conceded (PSG has the best defense with 23 goals conceded, Metz has 63).
Lyon’s top scorer is Pavel Sulc (25-year-old attacking midfielder/forward), with 11 goals, placing him 5th in the league (Esteban Lepaul is the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 16 goals). Endrick (19-year-old forward) is the club’s top assist provider with 5 assists and is 10th in Ligue 1 (Adrien Thomasson is first with 9 assists).
Lyon’s Last 5 Matches –
Only Lyon’s possession is shown, and Lyon’s shots are listed first (when data is available).
March 15, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Le Havre (down to 10 men in the 55th minute)/Lyon: 0-0. Playing a 4-3-3 formation. 62% possession. 11 shots, 5 on target, compared to 10 shots (5 on target).
March 19, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Lyon (down to 10 men in the 19th minute, 0-0, then down to 9 men in the 96th minute, 0-2)/Celta Vigo: 0-2. Playing a 5-3-2 formation. 40% possession. 4 shots, 1 on target, compared to 14 shots (8 on target).
March 22, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Lyon (down to 10 men in the 89th minute, 1-2)/Monaco: 1-2. 4-2-3-1 formation. 56% possession. 16 shots, 4 on target, compared to 19 shots (7 on target).
April 5, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Angers/Lyon: 0-0. 4-2-3-1 formation. 68% possession. 9 shots, 3 on target, compared to 6 shots (1 on target).
April 12, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Lyon/Lorient: 2-0. 4-2-3-1 formation. 53% possession. 6 shots, 2 on target, compared to 10 shots (6 on target).
The Lyon squad:
Out – Fofana, Himbert, Nuamah, Sulc, Tolisso (injuries), Tagliafico (suspension).
The probable lineup in a 5-2-1-2 formation.
Moreira – Endrick
Merah
Morton – Mangala
Abner – Kluivert – Niakhate – Mata – Maitland-Niles
Greif
Lyon’s playing style.
While generally attacking, Olympique Lyonnais sometimes lacks options and efficiency, especially when Pavel Sulc is absent, as is currently the case. Endrick has brought dynamism and some flashes of brilliance, but it’s inconsistent.
Solutions have been found in the quality of play and, above all, a relatively solid defense. The question then becomes whether Lyon will try to press PSG out of the box or if they will primarily sit deep. There was an attacking approach in the first leg in November, but PSG were also struggling physically. This time, a more defensive plan is expected.
