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It has been a strange season for Lyon and their fans as they introspect ahead of the Coupe de France final against PSG. They were miserable in the first half of the season but came to the party in the second period. Les Gones have performed admirably this time to make themselves big and into the Coupe de France Final.
Pierre Sage has done an admirable job at the helm and has helped his team rise to a sixth-placed finish, something not many people expected out of them this season, thus making it to next season’s Europa League.
Some may question Lyon’s run to the final, as they did face three lower league clubs en route to the big game. However, they will feel the pressure coming into this one as they take on the Ligue 1 Champions PSG.
Luis Enrique might still be reeling from the Champions League exit he so desperately did not want his side to suffer. But he can still finish the season with a domestic double. The game will also be Kylian Mbappe’s last in a PSG shirt, as the French superstar has officially announced his departure from the club.
Should they win this final against Lyon, PSG will have three times the amount of Coupe de France titles compared to their fellow finalists Lyon, with all eyes on the 14th such crown.
They are also desperate to end a dreadful run of three seasons without this particular trophy, having last won this crown back in 2021. In fact, PSG have triumphed in six of their last seven final appearances in this competition, and Enrique will undoubtedly hope to find another one to add to the club’s trophy cabinet.
Team News & Tactics
Lyon
There were some concerns within the Lyon fanbase about forward Alexandre Lacazette, who picked up a yellow card against RC Strasbourg after taking off his shirt in celebrations of scoring the decisive penalty in injury time.
While that caution meant he might miss the final through a suspension, it has been confirmed that the striker will instead miss the first game of next season. This means the former Arsenal captain will lead the line for Lyon against PSG.
Pierre Sage’s only major selection headache would be choosing his first-choice keeper, Lucas Perri, who has been brilliant in the last three cup games, including saving a penalty in the decisive shootout against Strasbourg. Beyond that, the team might pick itself up, with Rayan Cherki, Corentin Tolisso, Said Benrahma, and Nemanja Matic all set to start in this grand finale.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Perri; Mata, O’Brien, Caleta-Car, Tagliafico; Caqueret, Matic, Tolisso; Cherki, Lacazette, Benrahma
The big story will revolve around Kylian Mbappe and his final game for PSG, as he leaves the club after this season ends. PSG does have a few injury problems ahead of this final, with Lucas Hernandez, Sergio Rico, and Presnel Kimpembe all set to miss out.
Beyond that, some key first-teamers are set to return to the setup, with Marquinhos, Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, and keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma all set to feature. Luis Enrique might also contemplate starting Keylor Navas in goal instead after the Costa Rican also announced his exit from the club alongside Mbappe.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe
