This Saturday, February 28th, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) faces Le Havre (13th) at the Stade Océane (kick-off at 9:05 PM, CET) for Matchday 24 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. And as before every match, here’s a look at PSG’s opponent.
Le Havre’s situation –
Le Havre returned to Ligue 1 in the summer of 2023 after dominating Ligue 2 in 2022/2023 following a more than 10-year absence from the top flight. Since then, the club has been fighting to stay in Ligue 1 despite a relatively limited budget.
This success is due to excellent work, particularly from Matthieu Bodmer, a former PSG player who has become the sporting director. There’s also coach Didier Digard, also a former PSG midfielder, who has been in charge since 2024 after replacing Luka Elsner.
Last season was a tough one, ending in 15th place. This year, Le Havre’s logical aim is to stay in the top flight, ideally further from the relegation zone. They’re off to a good start, currently in 13th place with a 9-point cushion above the relegation playoff spot (currently held by 16th-placed Auxerre). Even so, there’s still a lot of work to be done with 11 matchdays remaining. But it’s already very promising considering that the transfer window was conducted with almost no transfer fees.
Summer Transfer Window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Winter Transfer Window 2025-2026 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season, Le Havre has the 17th best attack in Ligue 1 with 20 goals scored (the best, PSG, has 52, and the worst, Auxerre, has 17), and the 6th best defense with 29 goals conceded (PSG has the best defense with 19 goals conceded, and the worst, Metz, has 50).
Le Havre’s top scorer is Issa Soumaré (25-year-old winger), with 6 goals, ranking 19th in the league (Mason Greenwood is first with 14 goals). Rassoul Ndiaye (24-year-old midfielder) is Le Havre’s top assist provider with 2 assists and ranks 91st in Ligue 1 (Adrien Thomasson is first with 7 assists). It should be noted that Sofiane Boufal (32-year-old attacking midfielder) already has 2 assists in 312 minutes since his arrival this winter, but he is ranked 93rd (likely because one of those assists came from a set piece).
Le Havre’s last 5 matches –
Only Le Havre’s possession is shown, and Le Havre’s shots are listed first (when data is available).
January 24, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Le Havre/Monaco: 0-0. 4-3-1-2 formation. 46% possession. 7 shots, 1 on target, compared to 10 shots (2 on target).
January 30, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Lens/Le Havre: 1-0. 3-4-1-2 formation. 46% possession. 8 shots, 2 on target, compared to 15 shots (3 on target).
February 8, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Le Havre/Strasbourg (down to 10 men in the 29th minute, 1-0): 2-1. Playing a 4-3-3 formation. 51% possession. 15 shots, 7 on target, compared to 10 shots (3 on target).
February 15, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Le Havre (down to 10 men in the 2nd minute, 0-0)/Toulouse: 2-1. Playing a 3-1-4-2 formation. 33% possession. 5 shots, 2 on target, compared to 25 shots (9 on target).
February 22, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Nantes/Le Havre: 2-0. In a 4-3-3 formation. 71% possession. 6 shots, 3 on target, compared to 9 shots (2 on target).
The team according to the press in a 5-3-2 formation (L’Equipe):
Soumaré – Boufal
Ndiaye – Gouma-Douath – Ebonog
Koffi – Lloris – Zagadou – Pembélé – Doucouré
Diaw
Le Havre’s playing style.
Le Havre stands out in particular for its ability to change its playing pattern while often maintaining a solid defensive structure. There is a desire to impose an aggressive block on the opponent, without then trying to keep possession. The difficulty lies primarily in attack, even if some transitions are dangerous. The scenario seems clear for PSG, who will need to be patient, set the tempo, and remain focused.
Beware, Didier Digard might try a high press, at least at times. The player formation will be difficult to predict. At least coach Luis Enrique is pushing his team to adapt to all situations.
