This Sunday, February 23, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Olympique Lyonnais (6th) at Groupama Stadium (kick-off 8.45pm, UTC+1) as part of Matchday 23 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, things are generally better, and in line with that climb. But there’s still something lacking in the consistency needed to climb above 6th place.
A situation which, despite qualification for the last 8 of the Europa League, led to the (surprise) replacement of coach Pierre Sage by Paulo Fonseca at the end of January 2025.
The 2024 summer mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
The winter mercato 2024/2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key statistics –
This season, Lyon have the 5th best attack in the league with 40 goals scored (the leaders, PSG, have 59 and the last, Le Havre, have 18), and are among the 6th best defenders with 27 goals conceded (PSG have the 1st with 20 and the last, Montpellier, have 52).
Lyon’s top scorer is 33-year-old striker Alexandre Lacazette, who ranks 17th in the league with 7 goals (Ligue 1’s top scorer is Ousmane Dembélé with 16). Rayan Cherki (21-year-old striker) is Lyon’s best passer with 6 assists, ranking 12th in Ligue 1 (João Neves is first with 6 assists).
Lyon’s last 5 matches –
Only Lyon’s possession is shown and Lyon’s shots are put first (when data is available).
26/01/2025 (Ligue 1) – Nantes/Lyon: 1-1. In 4-3-3. 63% possession. 15 shots, including 4 on target, against 7 shots (5 on target).
30/01/2025 (Europa League) – Lyon/Ludogorets: 1-1. In 4-3-3. 58% possession. 13 shots, including 8 on target, against 15 shots (6 on target).
02/02/2025 (Ligue 1) – Marseille/Lyon: 3-2. In 4-2-3-1. 36% possession. 10 shots including 4 on target versus 20 shots (11 on target).
09/02/2025 (Ligue 1) – Lyon/Reims (down to 10 at the 87th minute, 3-0): 4-0. 4-2-3-1 formation. 68% possession. 15 shots, including 9 on target, against 9 shots (2 on target).
17/02/2025 (Ligue 1) – Montpellier/Lyon: 4-1. In 4-2-3-1. 63% possession. 9 shots (6 on target) vs. 11 shots (4 on target).
The squad and possible line-up.
The 4-2-3-1 team according to the press (L’Equipe) :
Mikautadze
Nuamah – Tolisso – Cherki
Tessmann – Matic
Tagliafico – Niakhité – Mata – Kumbedi
Perri
Lyon’s style of play.
With a recent change of coach, it’s time to rediscover Lyon’s style of play, even if the overall ideas remain focused on attack. In particular, they try to get the ball more than their opponents. That’s going to be difficult against PSG, so there could be a bit of adapting to do. High pressing or low blocking? It’s not obvious.
But we can expect Fonseca to be keen to get to the ball as quickly as possible, as he has already tried to do in his career, particularly during his time with Lille.
