This Sunday at 8:45 PM (CET), Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) will face Olympique Lyonnais (1st) at the Parc des Princes as part of the 8th matchday of the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season. In a press conference, Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca spoke about this encounter and their Parisian opponents. Notably, a well-populated infirmary on both sides.
Fonseca: “Luis Enrique’s side remains the strongest team”
Drawing on the victory from last April?
“I’ve watched a lot of their (PSG’s) matches, including that one, but things will be a bit different this time. We have to adapt to those changes—they have different players now—but they are clearly a strong side.”
Is this PSG stronger than last year’s?
“I don’t know if they’re ‘stronger,’ but they remain the strongest team. We’ve seen their performances against Barcelona and other top sides; their individual and collective quality is incredible. There’s something I truly admire about this PSG: it’s always difficult to keep winning after you’ve already won, yet Luis Enrique’s team continues to be the strongest—even against the biggest opponents—and, in my view, that is also a credit to the coach.”
Fonseca: “That would be a mistake”
Regarding PSG’s absentees?
“We have players missing too (Kango, Ouédraogo, Openda, Sulc, Tagliafico—editor’s note), but their squad possesses such immense quality that I can’t assume things will be easier just because a few of their players are out. Every one of them is highly talented; it would be a mistake to think they’ll be any less formidable without the likes of Nuno or Dembélé. They will still be very strong and highly motivated to play against us.”
It is worth remembering, of course, that OL did secure a win at the Parc des Princes last April. However, it would be somewhat reductive to focus solely on the scoreline (1-2) and view that evening as having revealed some sort of “magic formula.” Paris—in the midst of their Champions League campaign (the match took place after the quarter-finals against Liverpool)—had clearly dominated proceedings (19 shots to 5, 66% possession, and 13 corners to 5), yet they lacked clinical efficiency.
Fonseca, above all, expresses his deep respect for a PSG side that never gives up. He is surely right to highlight the work of Luis Enrique, who has succeeded in forging a collective unit—one that remains unfazed by setbacks and continues to push forward with an unwavering determination to win. This Monday, some key players will be missing, but there will be no panic, nor any shift in their style of play. They will, as always, field a formidable side.
The Lyon coach could just as easily point to his own crowded treatment room—a situation that leaves him with fewer high-profile options, though he still has plenty of quality players to rely on.
