Lorient-Paris: The preview
Men's football•
We look ahead to Wednesday's Ligue 1 encounter at Lorient and size up the challenge facing the Parisians in Brittany.
Damien Mittereau
Newly promoted after winning the second-tier title last term, Lorient are all about top-flight survival. They've struggled on the road, but at home they have recorded two big wins against Rennes (4-0) and Monaco (3-1). Beaten 2-0 at Angers last weekend, the Bretons are in 16th place, the relegation play-off spot.
Paris Saint-Germain won 3-0 in Brest last time out to move ahead of Lens, who defeated Marseille, at the top of the table. But the Rouge-et-Bleu only have a point in hand on their nearest chasers and will be looking to reinforce their hold on top spot with a second successive win in Brittany.
7 – Lorient have scored in each of their last seven home games in Ligue 1, their longest such run since 2021. The Bretons total 11 goals at home this season, a club record after four top-flight matches.
10 – Paris have won 10 of their 17 away trips to Lorient (3 defeats, 4 draws), winning more often there than at any other top-flight side.
131 – Paris Saint-Germain have made 131 successful presses - forcing opponents to surrender possession in their own half of the pitch in fewer than four passes - the most of any team in L1 this season.
Mvogo, Abergel, Pagis… Focus on the opposition strengths
Olivier Pantaloni and his team could start in a 5-3-2 with Yvon Mvogo in goal. The Switzerland international will have Montassar Talbi in front of him and the Tunisia international should be joined by Bamo Meïté, who has returned to Lorient after a difficult spell at Marseille.
With Abdoulaye Faye suspended, Cameroon international Darlin Yongwa is set to start. As right wing-back, Théo Le Bris and Igor Silva are in contention while Burkina Faso international Arsène Kouassi should start on the left. In the centre of the park, captain Laurent Abergel is a shoo-in for the starting XI.
If Cameroon international Arthur Avom Ebong is unavailable, Dermane Karim and Noah Cadiou could fill one of the midfield roles. Jean-Victor Makengo, the former OGC Nice and Toulouse player, could also have a more attacking midfield position.
Up front, the promising Pablo Pagis has three goals in six Ligue 1 games this season, and has been one of Lorient's stand-out performers this season. Aiyegun Tosin also has three goals and could start, but the Benin international has competition from Mohamed Bamba and Sambou Soumano.