The shock: PSG-Lyon

Has the international break made it possible to clarify ideas and head towards the Parisian team, without soul since the elimination in C1 on March 8 against Bayern Munich? Answer Sunday against Olympique Lyonnais (10th) at the Parc des Princes, where Christophe Galtier's players fell against Rennes in their last meeting, without intensity or desire.

"My daily life is the ten (remaining) matches and the determination to go for this title of champion of France," said the Parisian coach, asked about his future at PSG in a press conference on Friday.

Too far from the European places, OL have stagnated for several matches and may have their minds already turned to Nantes, where they play their season on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France.

Sunday will also be the return of Laurent Blanc, former coach of PSG (2013-2016), at the Parc des Princes: "he is someone who has a great career with PSG, he will be well received. Many people will enjoy greeting him," Galtier commented.

The players: Mandanda and Samba

The Rennes Steve Mandanda (38 years old) and the Lensois Brice Samba (28 years old), opposed Saturday night in Brittany, have woven a common history for several years.

Rennes' French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda during the Ligue 1 match between Rennes and OM, in Rennes on March 5, 2023 © LOIC VENANCE / AFP/Archives

Both passed by Evreux and Le Havre at the beginning of their careers, the two goalkeepers have come a long way together in Marseille: the first as number one, the second as a discreet understudy.

The international retirement of Mandanda, vice-world champion 2022 on the bench of the Blues, opened the doors of the selection to Samba, newcomer in the France team at the March gathering.

They will now cross swords, remotely, Saturday in a match with a European look.

The Sangs et Or (3rd, 57 pts), buoyed by the sparkling form of its striker, Loïs Openda, hope to steal from OM (2nd, 59 pts) the place of dauphin, synonymous with direct qualification in the Champions League. Rennes' fifth place is under threat from Lille, one point behind and who host Lorient on Sunday (13:00).

Lens' French goalkeeper Brice Samba during the Ligue 1 match between Brest and Rennes, in Brest on February 5, 2023 © LOIC VENANCE / AFP/Archives

The figure: three points

Before the last ten days of the season, at the end of which four clubs will go down to Ligue 2, nothing is done yet, except for the red lantern, Angers, completely dropped in the standings. Three points separate Brest (16th, 24 pts), first non-relegable, and Ajaccio (19th, 21 pts), penultimate of L1.

Intercalated between the two, Auxerre (17th, 23 pts) and Troyes (18th, 21 pts), who are also fighting for the maintenance, face Saturday at the Abbé-Deschamps stadium.

© 2023 AFP