This is the second big fixture of the week for the Parisians. On Monday evening, Olympique Lyonnais will travel to the Parc for one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the Ligue 1 season. All the more so as the Lyon side sit top of the league ahead of the start of Matchday 8, thanks to a favourable goal difference. In the top flight, Lyon are coming off the back of a hard-fought victory over Nice (2–1), but suffered a defeat in their last away match at Lens (2–1). A few days after their heavy defeat at Hoffenheim in the Europa League (3–0), Les Gones will be keen to bounce back to retain their position at the top of the table.
For Paris Saint-Germain, this is therefore a golden opportunity to take top spot in the league for the first time this season. To achieve this, Luis Enrique’s men can draw on their impressive run of seven consecutive wins, extended this week by a dazzling 4–2 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League. Prior to that, the Rouge et Bleu had notably beaten Le Mans (3–1) and Strasbourg (1–3), continuing their climb up the table. Paris have now returned to their usual standards in Ligue 1 and are determined to continue their winning run this Monday evening.
3 – Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais have each won three of the last six Ligue 1 matches between the two clubs at the Parc des Princes.
9 – The Rouge et Bleu have picked up nine points from goals scored after the hour mark in the league this season, at least four more than any other team. Luis Enrique has never waited until later than the 63rd minute to make his first substitutions this season.
15,1 – The capital club has the longest periods of possession among Europe’s top five leagues this season, with Paris retaining the ball for an average of 15.1 seconds between regaining possession and losing it.
In Lyon’s goal, Paulo Fonseca will once again rely on Dominik Greif, having started Rémy Descamps in the previous league game. The Slovak international has established himself as one of Ligue 1’s best goalkeepers and is now a key figure in the Rhône side’s starting XI, along with Moussa Niakhaté. Having made his return last week, the Senegalese international is expected to reclaim his place as the defensive leader alongside Felix Bacher. Having arrived in Lyon this summer, the newly capped Austrian international has settled in quickly and is likely to be preferred to Ruben Kluivert or Clinton Mata.
On the right side of defence, Zachary Athekame will likely be in the line-up. On loan from AC Milan, the Swiss international has made a very impressive start to the season in the top flight, and he will be joined on the opposite flank by Abner. The Brazilian international is now the first-choice player in that position, despite competition from Nicolás Tagliafico and Mohamed Ouédraogo, who are both injured. In front of the defence, Tyler Morton is once again the dictator of Lyon’s play this season. The former Liverpool player is an integral part of the Rhône-based side’s spine, playing in a deeper role where he is preferred to Tanner Tessmann.
Further forward, new signing Mads Bidstrup is making his mark. The Gones’ star signing from the last transfer window is already vital in winning back possession, and the impressive work rate of the newly capped Danish international has earned him a place in the starting line-up in the eyes of the Portuguese manager. Uncertainty surrounds captain Corentin Tolisso, a regular in OL’s midfield, who is coming off an exceptional previous season with the club where he came through the ranks. A true leader of his team, the 2018 World Cup winner could be replaced by the promising Noah Nartey (21) if his fitness prevents him from starting against the Parisians.
Capable of playing as a false No. 9, it seems increasingly likely that the usual midfielder Khalis Merah will start up front for Lyon, given that Loïs Openda and Pavel Sulc will be absent, and Rémi Himbert does not yet appear to have fully earned the coaching staff’s trust. These absences come on top of that of Keito Nakamura, who is suspended for this match, which could see new signing Julien Duranville, who has been in form recently, make a surprise start. One thing is certain: Ernest Nuamah is likely to be preferred to the promising Kaïl Boudache, thus completing the Gones’ attack.
