This Sunday, as part of Matchday 15 of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Olympique Lyonnais (5th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 8:45pm, broadcast on DAZN in France). On the eve of this encounter, the press tried to guess the team that will be fielded by Paris coach Luis Enrique and that of his Lyon counterpart Pierre Sage.
PSG –
Le Parisien (4-3-3) :
Barcola – Ramos – Dembélé
Neves – Vitinha – Zaïre-Emery
Mendes – Pacho – Marquinhos – Hakimi
Donnarumma.
L’Equipe (4-3-3) :
Barcola – Ramos – Dembélé
Neves – Vitinha – Zaïre-Emery
Mendes – Pacho – Marquinhos – Hakimi
Donnarumma.
Every team seems possible, even if there are bound to be doubts. Luis Enrique knows how to surprise the media, opponents and fans alike. So much the better. There’s real competition, which also comes into play in training. And a precise tactical analysis of the opponent that leads to adaptations.
Also, it’s a busy schedule with all the “must-win” matches. We beat Salzburg last Tuesday in the Champions League, and we’ve got to follow that up tonight against Lyon, then Monaco on Wednesday (advanced match of the 16th day of Ligue 1) and Lens next Sunday in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France. There may be a few rotations.
There is inevitably some doubt surrounding Ousmane Dembélé, the 27-year-old striker who picked up a “silly” red card against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He then came on as a substitute in both Ligue 1 matches and was logically suspended against RB Salzburg on Tuesday. Will he return to the starting line-up, or is Luis Enrique waiting for him to score again, given that his last few appearances have been disappointing?
Lyon –
Le Parisien (4-3-3) :
Fofana – Lacazette – Cherki
Tolisso – Matic – Veretout
Tagliafico – Niakhaté – Mata – Maitland-Niles
Perri.
L’Equipe (4-3-3) :
Fofana – Lacazette – Cherki
Tolisso – Matic – Veretout
Tagliafico – Niakhaté – Mata – Maitland-Niles
Perri.
Lyon’s preparations for the match aren’t much simpler, even if they don’t have a match in the middle of the week afterwards. They played Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday. This could have taken its toll and doesn’t leave much time for rest. But we’re expecting the closest thing we’ve got to a “standard team”.
