Challengers meet in France
Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has played down the importance of Sunday's clash with league leaders Lyon.
A win at the Stade de Gerland on Sunday would move PSG above their opponents and potentially to the top of Ligue 1 should Marseille fail to beat Rennes on Saturday. That would be the first time the defending champions have been top of the heap all season and could land a major psychological blow to the competition for their crown. But Silva, while expecting a hard-fought encounter, does not believe the result will be decisive come the end of the season.
"This is a special game because we are close to Lyon in the league and we both need to win," he told PSG's official website. "They should be good opposition because it is often the case when two teams compete to win. The fans should therefore enjoy. We have a lot of respect for their team, they are having a great season. I think the new coach (Hubert Fournier) changed something in the motivation of the team. It will be a special match, important but not decisive."
Fournier guided OL to the summit on the back of seven straight wins, a sequence that was ended by a goalless draw with Monaco last time out. But the coach is not too disheartened by that stalemate and is certain his team can regain their momentum.
"We beat Metz and took a point in Monaco," he told the French media. "It is true that the second period in Monaco was insufficient. Otherwise it was in line with previous meetings. We must keep the will to be ambitious in the game. There is always a balance to not be in danger and for now, it is held."
Saint-Etienne get the ball rolling on Friday night when they take on Lens attempting to maintain their European push. ASSE have gone three league games without a win to see Monaco, who are undefeated in eight, catch them in the race for a European spot.
"The players are determined to stop this bad run," manager Christophe Galtier told the French media. "I have no doubt about their desire to want to keep their current ranking."
If Saint-Etienne fail to win then Monaco could overtake them with a win at Guingamp, while Nice hosts Nantes in Sunday's other game. In Saturday's remaining fixtures, Bastia host Metz, Toulouse travel to Caen, Evian take on Bordeaux, Lille visit Montpellier and Lorient make the trip to Reims.