Two days before the match against Olympique Lyonnais, Paris Saint-Germain coach LuisEnrique reminded his players that the Lyonnais had already defeated him at the Parc des Princes the previous year. Despite the postponement of the game initially scheduled for Sunday to Monday, the Parisian team remains determined to aim for first place in Ligue1, even if four of its key players are absent.
The match, postponed due to a joint decision by the authorities and the Professional Football League, gave LuisEnrique twenty-four additional hours of preparation. However, the absences remain unchanged: NunoMendes, Marquinhos, OusmaneDembélé and KhvichaKvaratskhelia will not be able to take the field. The Spanish coach said during the press conference that the change of date does not bother him, stressing that he agrees to play on Monday if it is preferable for the current situation, in particular due to an NFL match scheduled for the same day.
The memory of the Parisian defeat against Lyon, where the two teams were tied on points but PSG was ahead on goal difference, remains vivid in LuisEnrique's mind. He recalls that last season, the Parisian club won 3-2 at the Parc des Princes before losing the return match at home. The Lyon scorers of this first duel, Endrick and AfonsoMoreira, have since left the club, but the memory of this victory remains.
LuisEnrique also praised the work done by PauloFonseca, the Lyon coach, and recognized that the task would be difficult. “They won last year in Paris, they have the same coach and play great football,” he admitted. However, he insisted on the importance of the objective: “From Monday, we can be leader. That’s our goal, it’s important to be as high as possible. Facing PauloFonseca's Lyon is motivation. »
With PSG reduced but motivated, the Parisian team seeks to immediately regain the lead in the championship. The match against OL, as the Ballon d'Or approaches and the schedule remains busy, remains a major challenge for the Parisians who wish to consolidate their position at the top of Ligue1.