This Sunday, May 13, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Olympique Lyonnais (5th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 8.45pm, broadcast on DAZN) as part of Matchday 15 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. And as before every match, here’s a presentation of the Parisians’ opponents.
Lyon’s situation –
Lyon are a long way from the title they once enjoyed, but they’re on the up again. After a period of great instability, Fabio Grosso was sacked as OL coach in November 2023 with a series of consistently worrying matches. Pierre Sage, who was director of Lyon’s training center, had his chance and seized it.
From last place, Lyon made a mad dash up to 6th place to qualify for the Europa League. This season is off to a much better start, with a current 5th place in Ligue 1 and DDDD in the Europa League. And all with a lot less tension than before.
The 2024 summer mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key statistics –
This season, Lyon is among the 3rd best attackers in the league with 26 goals scored (the leader, PSG, is on 37 and the bottom two, Le Havre and Saint-Etienne, are on 11), and is among the 6th best defenders with 17 goals conceded (PSG is 1st with 11 goals conceded and the bottom one, Montpellier, is on 36).
Lyon’s top scorer is Alexandre Lacazette (33-year-old striker), who is 12th in the league with 5 goals (Ligue 1’s top scorer is Jonathan David with 11). Saïd Benrahma (29-year-old striker) is Lyon’s top passer with 3 assists, ranking 12th in Ligue 1 (João Neves and Marco Asensio are first with 5 assists).
Lyon’s last 5 matches –
Only Lyon’s possession is shown and Lyon’s shots are put first (when data is available).
23/11/2024 (Ligue 1) – Reims/Lyon: 1-1. In 4-2-3-1. 60% possession. 13 shots including 7 on target vs. 14 shots (6 on target).
28/11/2024 (Europa League) – Qarabaq/Lyon: 4-1. In 4-3-3. 43% possession. 16 shots, including 10 on target, against 17 shots (4 on target).
01/12/2024 (Ligue 1) – Lyon/Nice: 4-1. In 4-3-3. 53% possession. 16 shots including 8 on target versus 16 shots (7 on target).
07/12/2024 (Ligue 1) – Angers/Lyon: 0-3. In 4-3-3. 65% possession. 16 shots, including 10 on target, against 10 shots (2 on target).
12/12/2024 (Europa League) – Lyon/Eintracht Frankfurt: 3-2. In 4-3-3. 64% possession. 15 shots, including 6 on target, against 10 shots (4 on target).
The squad and the probable team.
Absents – Lopes, Akouokou, Orban, Zaha (choix).
The team according to the press in 4-3-3 (L’Equipe) :
Fofana – Lacazette – Cherki
Tolisso – Matic – Veretout
Tagliafico – Caleta-car – Mata – Maitland-Niles
Perri.
Lyon’s style of play.
Sage has restored Lyon’s spirit and fighting spirit. We’ll have to be wary of him, as he has some fine qualities in the game, including Cherki, who has been in fine form of late. Lyon will no doubt be looking to defend well as a block first, despite their weaknesses in depth, and then to move quickly to hurt PSG in transition.
Even if they could spring a surprise by pressing higher up the pitch. In any case, Lyon will want to make the most of their attacking qualities. We don’t know how much Sage will want to try and gain possession against PSG, who make it their speciality.
In any case, it’s up to the Parisians to stay focused and end the season on a high note. If possible, with several goals, which seems quite possible given the habits of both teams.
