Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais Set for Coupe de France Showdown
The Coupe de France final is set for an intense showdown between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) this Saturday in Villeneuve d'Ascq. With kick-off scheduled at 9 p.m., football enthusiasts are eager to witness whether PSG can reclaim glory in this prestigious tournament, having last won it in 2012. The match will be broadcasted on beIN SPORTS and France 2, with live commentary available on our site.
Key Players and Team Formations
One of the most significant talking points leading into the match has been the potential presence of Kylian Mbappé. The star forward, who may soon leave PSG, was omitted from the last two championship games against Nice and Metz. However, PSG's coach Luis Enrique confirmed that Mbappé is part of the squad traveling to the North and is likely to play a critical role in the game. PSG will, however, be without key players like Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, and Sergio Rico due to injuries.
OL, on the other hand, is at full strength and has been fine-tuning their strategy. Pierre Sage, the OL coach, is expected to lean on a 4-1-4-1 formation, a setup that proved successful in the latter half of the season. Questions remain about specific positions, particularly at right-back, where Clinton Mata and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are the leading candidates. In midfield, Corentin Tolisso seems to have the edge over Orel Mangala, while Ernest Nuamah, noted for his hard-working nature, is likely to start over Rayan Cherki.
Road to the Final: Different Paths, Same Destination
PSG's journey to the final saw them defeating lower division teams like Revel (9-0) and Orléans (4-1) before overcoming Brest (3-1), Nice (3-1), and Rennes (1-0). Meanwhile, OL had a challenging path, defeating Pontarlier (3-0) and Bergerac (2-1) away, and later ousting Lille (2-1) and Strasbourg (4-3) at home. In the semi-finals, OL had a relatively easier fixture against L2 club Valenciennes, securing a 3-0 victory.
A historical lens reveals that PSG and OL have rarely clashed in the Coupe de France final, with the last encounter in 2008 ending in a 1-0 victory for Lyon. PSG's most recent triple trophy haul comprising Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Champions Trophy occurred in the 2019-20 season.
The Significance of the Venue and European Prospects
This final holds additional intrigue as it will be played at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, a deviation necessitated by the Stade de France being prepped for the upcoming Olympic Games. This marks the first time a Coupe de France final is being held outside Île-de-France, adding a unique flavor to this year's edition.
For Lyon, the stakes are slightly different. Having finished sixth in Ligue 1, OL is already assured a spot in the Europa Conference League but could upgrade to the Europa League with a victory over PSG. Should PSG win, Lens will make it to the Europa Conference League as seventh in Ligue 1.
- Throughout the Ligue 1 season, PSG emerged victorious in both league games against Lyon, with a 4-1 scoreline on each occasion. These league encounters might influence the strategic approaches of both teams heading into the final.
- PSG's journey in the Coupe de France this year showed their dominance over lower-tier teams. However, Lyon's wins over Lille and Strasbourg, both from Ligue 1, indicate their ability to perform against top-tier competition.
- Potential starting lineups further add to the tactical drama. For PSG, the presence of Mbappé alongside other heavy hitters could tilt the scale. Lyon, equipped with an in-form Tolisso and the strategic flexibility of players like Mata and Nuamah, could present formidable opposition.
