What: French Ligue 1
Who: Paris Saint-Germain vs Lyon
When: Sunday 16th December, 2012, at 20:00 UK Time
Where: Parc des Princes, Paris, France
Time Running Out for Carlo Ancelotti?
A year ago, Paris Saint-Germain were just ahead of Montpellier at the top of the Ligue 1 table. Their Qatari owners promptly fired Antoine Kombouare, replacing him with Carlo Ancelotti. If PSG lose here, to fall six points behind Lyon, it would be no surprise to see the axe come full circle and land on Ancelotti’s head. Even if PSG win and go top, the former Chelsea and AC Milan coach’s time in Paris seems likely to come to an end sooner rather than later, with patience running out and Jose Mourinho and Josep Guardiola waiting in the wings. Ancelotti’s problems have been increased by the trouble with winger Nene, left out of the squad against Valenciennes in midweek for disciplinary reasons.
It is difficult to judge the Italian’s work so far. On paper, PSG have gone backwards, trailing in the title race having led it as he arrived almost a year ago. They have also yet to truly develop a cohesive style and philosophy. Yet at times Ancelotti’s men look utterly convincingly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in particular can be unplayable.
The Swede netted another hat-trick in midweek at Valenciennes, never an easy place to visit. The 4-0 win ended their opponents’ unbeaten home record, underlining that PSG appear to be back after a dip in form. Statistics raise more questions than answers about the Parisians though. In their last seven league games, three have been 4-0 wins, and another three have been 2-1 defeats; the other was a 1-1 draw at champions Montpellier. Yet the direction of travel is encouraging, with crushing wins over Evian and Valenciennes following a 2-1 victory over FC Porto in the Champions League. But this is the biggest test of their season so far. At home to the league leaders, it is possibly the first ‘six-pointer’ of the campaign for Ancelotti. It could also be his last.
Remi Garde Revival Gathers Pace
After a brief decline under Claude Puel and then a season of transition with Remi Garde, things are going rather well for Les Gones. Top of the league and looking strong again, Lyon have played their hand brilliantly of late. Building a new state of the art stadium for Euro 2016 which will increase their revenues substantially, while a combination of bringing through talented youngsters and signing quality players for low prices have taken them to the top.
However, a 1-1 midweek draw at home to bottom of the league Nancy could not have been timed any worse, with a trip north to face the big spending Parisians this weekend. Lyon started the week five points clear and they could end it behind PSG if they are unable to contain their opponents.
Last week’s 1-0 win at local rivals Saint-Etienne laid down an impressive marker, but this is a far sterner test for Garde’s side. Last year, Montpellier went to Paris in a similar situation a bit later in the season, played Ancelotti’s men off the park and came away with a 2-2 draw that showed they were real title contenders. For Lyon, this game will answer many questions about their title credentials. In many ways the result is not what is important. A highly unfortunate 1-0 defeat that showed them to be on the same level as PSG would not be such a terrible outcome. At the Parc des Princes, it really is all about the performance.
Recent form
Paris Saint-Germain:
Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 FC Porto (04/12; Champions League)
Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Evian (08/12; Ligue 1)
Valenciennes 0-4 Paris Saint-Germain (11/12; Ligue 1)
Lyon:
Lyon 2-0 Hapoel Kiryat Shmona (06/12; Europa League)
Saint-Etienne 0-1 Lyon (09/12; Ligue 1)
Lyon 1-1 Nancy (12/12; Ligue 1)
Key absences
Paris Saint-Germain: Nene (doubt); Alex
Lyon: Anthony Reveillere (doubt); Alexandre Lacazette (doubt); Mouhamadou Dabo; Clement Grenier; Yoann Gourcuff; Jimmy Briand
Players to watch
Paris Saint-Germain – Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Who else but the Swede? Arguably the best player in Europe’s top five leagues so far this season, Ibrahimovic has been utterly ruthless. He has scored more goals than the rest of the PSG squad combined and appears at times to drive them forward single handedly. He has shown his outrageous skills many times already this year, from back-heeled volleys to overhead kicks from 40 yards out. Even if PSG are struggling, Ibrahimovic is one of those players who can score a goal from nothing. Lyon must beware.
Lyon – Michel Bastos: The Brazilian has been in good form of late, netting the winner against Saint-Etienne and the goal against Nancy. Bastos is a reliable source of goals as well as crucial experience for this Lyon team and has already scored five times this season. Curiously, his last 23 goals have all come through his left foot. With Yoann Gourcuff and Clement Grenier out, creative responsibility will fall onto Bastos and Steed Malbranque. Bastos can cause Christophe Jallet all kinds of problems on the left side of the pitch.
Match Prediction
PSG’s recent good form has owed much to the new 4-4-2 system Ancelotti has settled on. After chopping and changing formations and line-ups, this one looks like a system which may stay in place for some time, with the Parisians giving the appearance of being a real team at last. It has though meant Ancelotti has had to sacrifice his beloved three-man central midfield and countryman Marco Verratti, who was on the bench against Valenciennes.
Lyon could struggle to contain Thiago Motta and Blaise Matuidi, whose midfield partnership looks strong, and out wide Javier Pastore and Jeremy Menez are dangerous cutting inside to supply the front two of Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi, the latter of whom has finally found form.
Meanwhile, Lyon have to cope without Yoann Gourcuff, sidelined after finally showing his best once again for Les Gones, as well as the talented youngster Clement Grenier. The front three of Bastos, Lisandro Lopez and Bafetimbi Gomis form one of the most potent front lines in Ligue 1, but the big problem for Lyon will be getting the ball to them enough. The loss of captain Anthony Reveillere at the back is a huge blow for Garde, and Samuel Umtiti and Milan Bisevac will have quite a task on their hands keeping this PSG forward line quiet. Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Lyon.
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