A Clash Of French Rivalry: Paris v Lyon
7 time French Champions Olympique Lyonnais travel to the Capital to force some stress on titans Paris St Germain this Sunday. Lyon and Paris St Germain have established one of the biggest rivalries in French football over the course of their years in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2; this attitude will feature in their clash at the Parc Des Princes. Paris St Germain have had an impressive run in their opening games of the season, as well as their debut group stage match against Ajax this past Wednesday in the Champions League.
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Lyon, interestingly enough aren’t doing much better than current Ligue 1 champions PSG, as Les Gones lost their chance at a chase for European silverware to FC Astra in Europa League, qualifying back in August. As well, the east side club have been less than average in their opening Ligue 1 matches, substituting their classy reign in 2001-2008 for a much weaker side. Three of their 5 matches this season have been losses, most notably though, Lyons put more misery upon former title contenders, Monaco last weekend with a 2-1 victory at the Stade Louis II.
Photo : C.Gavelle/PSG. psg.fr
Thus, this match up is important for both clubs. On one hand we have Paris, who are in modern football, the model for the french league. A club whose sole goal since their incredible stumble into investments have been to conquer France and Europe alike. And on the other, we have Lyon, a club with significant french titles, history and incredible respectability–yet in the shadow of their former self they cant even glimpse the likes of domination. Especially with the start Lyon has had, and could continue to suffer with the dip in form.
Last season when Lyon met Paris at their home ground, the match up was nothing short of a devastating outcome for Les Gones as then coach Rémi Garde watched his men dismantled in a 4-0 loss.The home side met Lyon again the following year in the same season, only days after their disappointing exit from the Champions league to Chelsea, where the broken PSG lost 1-0 at the Stade de Gerland.
Photo : C.Gavelle/PSG. psg.fr
Paris can capitalize on the squads ultimate weakness’ in loosing team members due to injury.They are not only members of the squad but regular starters whose injuries have been so invasive to the season they have yet to make a single apperance–as reported by Bleacher Report:
“First-team regulars Henri Bedimo, ex-PSG man Milan Bisevac, Gueida Fofana and Clement Grenier are all yet to make a single appearance this season because of injury. The much-maligned Yoann Gourcuff is only just making a return to the first team, so OL are still some way below their maximum strength.”
A historic clash, aside from Le Classique between Paris and Marseille, Sundays match up will surely provide ecstasy for both sides fans.