This Sunday, February 1st, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) faces Strasbourg (7th) at the Stade de la Meinau (kick-off at 8:45 pm, CET) for Matchday 20 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. And as before every match, here is a preview of the Parisians’ opponent.
Strasbourg’s situation –
After a dismal period of sporting and financial decline that saw them relegated to the French fifth division in the 2011-2012 season, Strasbourg has made a remarkable comeback. This was achieved in part by partnering with the Alsace Region in 2012 to bolster their financial resources. In May 2016, RCSA returned to Ligue 1 and has since become a formidable opponent. Initially known primarily as a physical and defensive team, they have developed a more attacking style of play.
There have been some challenging periods, 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 (among others) Chelsea. This facilitated certain signings. During the summer of 2024, marked by a major recruitment drive, English coach Liam Rosenior replaced Patrick Vieira, bringing a fresh perspective after having served as assistant and head coach in England.
The 2025-2026 season, following another very active transfer window, even sparking some controversy with numerous transfers that also served to “feed” Chelsea or facilitate loans, was amplified by other transfers between the two clubs and especially Rosenior’s departure to Chelsea this winter. He was replaced by Gary O’Neil, who successfully revived a Strasbourg side that was going through a turbulent period. There are now new tensions surrounding the loan of defender Mamadou Sarr, which Chelsea are expected to terminate.
Amidst all this, Strasbourg is 7th in Ligue 1, qualified for the Round of 16 of the Coupe de France (against Monaco), and in the Round of 16 of the Europa Conference League.
Summer Transfer Window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Winter Transfer Window 2025-2026 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season, Strasbourg has one of the 5 best attacks in Ligue 1 with 32 goals scored (the best, Marseille, has 44, and the worst, Auxerre, has 14), and one of the 5 best defenses with 23 goals conceded (PSG has the best defense with 15 goals conceded, and the worst, Metz, has 45).
Strasbourg’s top scorer is Joaquin Panichelli (23-year-old striker), with 11 goals, placing him 12th in the league (Mason Greenwood leads Ligue 1 with 12 goals). Guéla Doué (23-year-old right-back) and Valentin Barco (21-year-old midfielder) are the club’s top assist providers, with 4 assists each, ranking them 7th and 8th in Ligue 1 respectively (Vitinha leads with 6 assists).
Strasbourg’s last 5 matches –
Only Strasbourg’s possession is shown, and Strasbourg’s shots are listed first (when data is available).
21/12/2025 (French Cup) – Strasbourg/USL Dunkerque – 2-1. Playing a 3-4-3 formation, Strasbourg had 6 shots, 4 on target, compared to 13 shots (3 on target) for Dunkerque.
January 3, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Nice/Strasbourg: 1-1. Playing a 3-4-3 formation. 56% possession. 9 shots, 3 on target, compared to 17 shots (6 on target).
January 10, 2025 (Coupe de France) – Avranches/Strasbourg: 0-6. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 15 shots, 10 on target, compared to 4 shots (1 on target).
January 18, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Strasbourg/Metz: 2-1. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 49% possession. 15 shots, 7 on target, compared to 9 shots (2 on target).
January 25, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Lille/Strasbourg: 1-4. In a 4-2-3-1 formation. 52% possession. 13 shots, 6 on target, compared to 15 shots (6 on target).
The probable starting lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Panichelli
Godo – Enciso – Moreira
Doukouré – El Mourabet
Chilwell – Omobamidele – Sarr – G. Doué
Penders
Strasbourg’s playing style:
A far cry from the extremely defensive Strasbourg we saw in Ligue 1 for several years, Gary O’Neil’s team, following in his predecessor’s footsteps, plays a more attacking style, with a desire to create chances quickly. PSG will need to be very careful to refocus quickly after the Champions League. Especially since Strasbourg have had all week to prepare.
We expect an open match, with a fast pace and plenty of excitement. Some of PSG’s opponents adapt by becoming much more defensive, but that would be a surprise coming from Strasbourg. Even though Paris often dominates possession.
