Paris (AFP)

Two ambitions to the test: Paris SG, irresistible but still deprived of Neymar, and Olympique Lyonnais, irregular, intersect Sunday (9:00 p.m.) in Ligue 1, for a shock revealing their respective states of form before the eighths of Champions League final.

- PSG in great shape, Lyon a little less -

PSG, which travels to Dortmund on February 18, and OL, host of Juventus on 26, attacked the new year.

In the capital, the superstar Neymar gave a hellish pace to Parisians who feared the busy schedule, but the Brazilian, hit by the ribs, was still spared. The L1 leader, unbeaten for three months, has gained enough confidence to hope to save himself from the nightmare of European eliminations suffered in recent seasons.

"I feel my team is very strong and focused to continue well," said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel on Saturday.

In Lyon, the center-forward Moussa Dembélé and his teammates signed a perfect January (6 wins, 1 draw) which almost made one forget the disastrous first part of the season. But the draw against the misclassified Amiens (0-0), Wednesday at home, reminded him of the urgency of his situation, while the podium moved away by seven points.

"If we have waste in Paris, like today (Wednesday), we will be corrected," warned Lyonnais coach Rudi Garcia. And against Cristiano Ronaldo's "Juve", such a non-match would be unacceptable in any case.

- Work ahead for Lyon, behind for Paris -

Garcia still has time for the final adjustments and to test his team, between the summit on Sunday and the quarter-final of the Coupe de France against Marseille on Wednesday.

At the Parc des Princes, "it's a match in the Champions League configuration. You have to be in warrior mode!" Assured the former Roma technician.

It is in the offensive animation that his team is expected Sunday, in a register where it disappointed Wednesday. Dembélé, very effective in January (8 goals), appeared tired, not helped either by the failed match of Jean Lucas, Bertrand Traoré or Houssem Aouar.

"We have to play simple and fast. You have to exist with the ball and therefore use it much better," said Garcia, who counts on young attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki or rookie Karl Toko Ekambi to avoid correction of last season (5-1).

In Paris, it is rather the defense that raises questions. The last twenty minutes in Nantes (2-1) Tuesday showed the limit of a sector decimated by injuries (Thiago Silva, Diallo, Dagba, Bernat, even Marquinhos). Promoted to captain, Presnel Kimpembe committed a big blunder which offered a goal to the Canaries.

"The new system (4-4-2) suits us pretty well. Everyone knows what they have to do and we are moving forward step by step. But the season is still long. We still have a lot to show", explained "Presko" on the club website.

But with the absence of Silva and Bernat against OL, confirmed Saturday morning by Tuchel, it will be necessary to wait perhaps Dijon, Wednesday in Coupe de France, to approach the standard defense which will play in Dortmund. "If everything goes well", Thiago Silva and even Marquinhos should return to competition in Burgundy, according to the coach.

- Until D-day: Neymar and "Olympico" cases -

Paris SG passes their last big test before the Lyonnais before the C1. "It's a challenge, but that's what we're looking for," said Tuchel.

The last question that will accompany PSG to Germany remains about Neymar who, hit in the ribs, did not play in Nantes and will still be spared against OL. No risk is taken which compromises his participation in Dortmund.

Paris, thanks to its lead at the head of the Championship, has a certain comfort that Lyon does not have.

After Sunday, the "Olympico" against Marseille then the L1 matches in Metz and Strasbourg leave under pressure "Gones" who no longer have the right to make mistakes. They will soon know what to expect ...

© 2020 AFP