Parc des Princes, Paris, France
Sunday, 01 December 2013 - French Ligue 1
Sunday, 01 December 2013 - French Ligue 1
Of course that current French champions and this time don’t even
think about anything else except a certain victory, as it is the only
way to maintain a solid lead over the second-placed Lille, which
currently stands on four points. Coach Blanca’s players are still
undefeated this season and in the championship have effect of 10 wins
and four draws. On top of it, they won in August the French Super Cup
defeating Bordeaux with 2-1. In the Champions League had from before
secured a place in the knockout phase, and its dominance in the group
was confirmed on last week when they won Olympiacos at home, so now
after five rounds have even 13 points .
All this indicates that in
the continuation of the season we can expect even more from this team
in all competitions, and we here have especially in mind great striking
duo Ibrahimovic – Cavani, who in last 14 rounds of Ligue 1 have scored
by nine goals each. Let’s add that for this match are questionable only
lightly injured midfielders Pastore and Verratti.
Unlike the PSG, Lyon is very variable this season and is therefore at
the moment on seventh place in Ligue 1, and has even 10 points less than
teams who occupy positions which lead in the Champions League. However,
it should be noted that this is a good placement for them when we
remember how badly they opened the season. In last three rounds they
managed to win seven points and get little bit closer to the leading
teams. After two consecutive victories they failed last weekend at home
when they played just 1-1 with Valenciennes, so for the rest of the
season a lot of work expects them in order to return on positions that
they deserve according to the players’ quality.
Regarding their performances in the Europe League, they were not overly
convincing but after recent victory over Betis at home have managed to
secure placement in the next round, given that before the end of the
round have four points more than third Guimaraes. It means a lot to them
in terms of self-confidence ahead of this difficult away match at the
Parc des Princes, where coach Guard can count on almost all best players
apart from before injured defender Dabo.
Possible line-ups:
Paris Saint-Germain: Sirigu – van der Wiel, Thiago Silva, Alex, Maxwell – Motta, Matuidi – Lucas, Lavezzi – Cavani, Ibrahimovic.
Olympique Lyon: Vercoutre – Lopes, Bisevac, Umtiti, Bedimo – Gonalons, Fofana, Malbranque – Grenier – Lacazette, Gomis.
