PSG v Lorient match preview

Following a very fortunate scheduling run against lower table clubs, the tables have turned for Paris Saint-Germain as they entering a significantly difficult run of matches. Four points removed from Lyonnais in first place the Parisians have five matches in just over two weeks, including the next round of UEFA Cup and both l'OM and Toulouse. As they travel to face Lorient at Stade du Moustoir Saturday evening they face a new set of challenges with a series of absences.

To complicate matters both Claude Makélélé and Stéphane Sessegnon are suspended and both Mamadou Sakho and Grégory Bourillon are injured. Given the schedule and the lack of depth on the squad Paul Le Guen will be faced with a number of challenging tactical choices likely resulting in Clément Chantôme stepping in to handle Claude Makélélé and Ludovic Giuly steering the attack as Stéphane Sessegnon has. Quite obviously choices are compromised at striker with Guillaume Hoarau paired with either Mateja Kežman or Péguy Luyindula. This is jumbled because young Mr Hoarau is questionably one-hundred per-cent and given the heavy work demands les Rouge et Bleu are treading in tenuous waters.

For Christian Gourcuff les Merlus, the last two months have been a near disaster and without a win since mid-December. While they have corrected defending weaknesses, they have found the net six times in seven matches and at best playing for a draw. They are without André Ayew but have promising young striker Kevin Gameiro back.