Paris Saint-Germain travel to the north of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 in search of their first win of the 2012/2013 campaign as they take on Rudi Garcia’s Lille who are also looking to hit top gear
After making sluggish starts to their respective campaigns, both sides would be looking to end Sunday’s encounter with three points.
Some catching up to do
Rudi Garcia’s side certainly have quite a bit of catching up to do. A fine opening day win against AS Saint-Etienne was followed by two draws and the 2011 Ligue 1 champions need to return to winning ways in order to avoid getting too far behind league leaders
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127.
Lille played an intense Champions League second-leg playoff tie against Copenhagen. In that game, Garcia reshuffled his squad which means that there won’t be a lot of tired legs at the Grande Stade this Sunday.
Unlike PSG, Lille have scored a goal in every Ligue 1 game this season. However, Garcia admits that the team has to improve defensively.
“We’ve scored in every game since the start of the season. If we could just be a little more solid defensively that would be good.”
In search of a win
PSG travel to the new home of Les Dogues unbeaten in three games but still in search for their first win of the season. Following a 2-2 draw at home against Lorient on the opening day of the season, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have played to stalemates with the
last being against Bordeaux last Sunday.
After investing so much money in the transfer market, many people were expecting the cash-laden outfit to set the ground running. However, the opposite of this has happened as PSG have been met with strong resilience in their opening three games.
The game against Bordeaux was a real tester for Ancelotti’s side. And, the Italian tactician admits that he is not happy with the way things have panned out for his team so far. The former AC Milan manager knows that the team needs to improve a lot.
“Of course I’m not happy with the result. We have the quality to win, but we have to quickly improve for our next game. With just three points, our start isn’t good. Lille will perhaps be the opportunity to get back to winning ways,” said Ancelotti.
Summer signing http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752
at the centre of defence, meaning that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mamadou-Sakho-c23293 will be relegated to the bench.
With defence looking stable enough, it is the offense which should worry Ancelotti given the fact that PSG have not scored a single goal in Ligue 1 this season since Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s second half brace against Lorient on the opening day of the season.
Team News
Lille
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749, is sidelined due to a heel injury while Marko Basa returns to first team duties after shaking off a groin injury.
Paris Saint-Germain
After featuring in the 0-0 draw against Bordeaux, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Momo-c26769 Sissoko will miss out due to a knee injury.
Argentine international, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Lavezzi-c13073 saw red in the game against Ajaccio and will serve the second of his three-game ban. Following incidents in the 0-0 draw against Ajaccio, coach Carlo Ancelotti will appear before the LFP Disciplinary Commission.
Predictions
This will definitely be a very open game as both sides are eager to return to winning ways. Although Ibrahimovic’s presence will be daunting for Lille defenders, a draw might be a fair result.
Predicted finals score: Lille 1-1 PSG
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