This Friday, October 17, Paris Saint-Germain will face Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 8:45 p.m., CET) for Matchday 8 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. And as before every match, here’s a preview of the Parisians’ opponent.
Strasbourg’s situation –
After a sad period of sporting and financial decline that saw it fall to the French 5th division in the 2011-2012 season, Strasbourg has successfully bounced back. This was notably achieved by joining the Alsace region in 2012 in order to regain financial strength. RCSA secured its return to Ligue 1 in May 2016 and has become accustomed to being a difficult team to play against. After initially being primarily a physical and defensive team, it has developed a more attacking style of play.
There have been some difficult periods, however, and several coaches have come and gone with varying degrees of success. The project gained new momentum in 2023 through the partnership with BlueCo, a consortium of American investors that also owns Chelsea (among others). This facilitated some signings. During the summer of 2024, marked by a major recruitment campaign, English coach Liam Rosenior replaced Patrick Vieira with a new lease of life after serving as assistant and head coach in England.
He had an interesting start, even though there was a frustrating fall, qualifying “only” for the Europa Conference League. The 2025-2026 season, after a transfer window that was still very active, even sparking some controversy with numerous transfers that also served to “feed” Chelsea or allow for loans, is off to a very good start. Strasbourg is third in Ligue 1 and won its first European match against Slovan Bratislava (1-2).
The 2025 Summer Transfer Window –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season, Strasbourg is among the third-best attacks in Ligue 1 with 14 goals scored (the first, Monaco, is at 16, and the last, Angers, is at 3), and is among the third-best defenses with 7 goals conceded (the best defenses, PSG, OM, and OL, are at 5 goals conceded, the last, Metz and Lorient, are at 16).
Strasbourg’s top scorer is Joaquin Panichelli (23-year-old striker), with 5 goals, he is first in the league. Emmanuel Emegha (22-year-old forward) is Strasbourg’s top passer, with 2 assists, and he ranks 7th in Ligue 1.
Strasbourg’s last 5 matches –
Only Strasbourg possession is shown, and Strasbourg’s shots are listed first (when available).
09/14/2025 (Ligue 1) – Strasbourg (10 men in the 90th minute +4, 1-0)/Le Havre – 1-0. In a 3-1-4-2 formation. 48% possession. 9 shots, including 7 on target, versus 10 shots (1 on target).
09/21/2025 (Ligue 1) – Paris FC/Strasbourg: 2-3. In a 4-4-2 formation. 39% possession. 8 shots, including 4 on target, versus 18 shots (6 on target).
September 26, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Strasbourg/Marseille: 1-2. 4-2-3-1 formation. 40% possession. 9 shots, including 1 on target, versus 16 shots (9 on target).
October 2, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Slovan Bratislava/Strasbourg: 1-2. 4-3-3 formation. 43% possession. 5 shots, including 4 on target, versus 22 shots (6 on target).
October 5, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Strasbourg/Angers: 5-0. 3-4-2-1 formation. 66% possession. 18 shots, including 12 on target, versus 5 shots (1 on target).
Probable team in 4-2-3-1 formation.
Panichelli
Moreira – Enciso – Ouattara
EL Mourabet – Barco
Chilwell – Doukoure – Hogsberg – Doué
Penders
Strasbourg’s style of play.
Far from the extremely defensive Strasbourg we’ve seen in Ligue 1 for several years, Rosenior’s team plays a more attacking game, with a desire to create chances quickly. PSG will have to be very careful to return well from their international break, without thinking too much about the Champions League, which returns on Tuesday (against Bayer Leverkusen), to avoid a nasty surprise.
We expect an open match, with pace and spectacle. Some of PSG’s opponents adapt by being much more defensive, but that would be a surprise coming from Strasbourg, even if Paris often knows how to dominate possession.
