As the 27th round of Ligue 1 unfolds, Olympique Lyonnais faces a challenging match against RC Strasbourg Alsace on the evening of March 28, 2025, at 20:45. Lyon will be looking to secure a vital win to boost their position in the league standings, but they will do so without two key players: Malick Fofana and Saël Kumbedi.
Fofana, who suffered a sprained knee while on international duty with Belgium, is expected to be sidelined for three weeks. This unfortunate injury not only rules him out of the match against Strasbourg but also means he will miss the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United. Kumbedi, on the other hand, is serving a suspension for this fixture, further complicating Lyon's lineup.
Despite these setbacks, Lyon, currently in fifth place with 45 points, is on a five-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. The team’s recent form has been encouraging, and they could potentially leapfrog into the top three with a victory tonight. Lyon's head coach, Paulo Fonseca, has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Georges Mikautadze expected to lead the attack in place of the experienced Alexandre Lacazette, who will not feature in this match.
Meanwhile, Thiago Almada and Nicolás Tagliafico, both fresh from international duty with Argentina, are likely to start on the bench, providing a tactical advantage for Lyon if needed later in the match. The anticipated lineup for Lyon includes Lucas Perri in goal, supported by a defensive line of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakhaté, and Abner. In the midfield, Jordan Veretout and Tanner Tessmann will form a double pivot, while Ernest Nuamah, Corentin Tolisso, and Rayan Cherki will provide support to Mikautadze in the attacking third.
On the opposite side, Strasbourg is enjoying a solid season, currently sitting seventh with 43 points and on a six-match unbeaten run in the league. They have only suffered one defeat at home this season, which came against AS Monaco. Head coach Liam Rosenior has all his players available except for Habib Diarra, and he will field a strong team as they aim to capitalize on Lyon's absences. Strasbourg is expected to line up in a similar 4-2-3-1 formation, with Petrovic in goal and a defense consisting of Doué, Sarr, Doukouré, and Moreira. Barco and Andrey Santos will operate in front of the defense, while Bakwa, Lemarechal, and Nanasi will support Emegha, who is set to lead the line for Strasbourg.
This matchup is not just crucial for the points but also carries significant implications for both teams as they eye European qualification. Lyon's recent form and attacking prowess, despite missing key players, will be tested against a resilient Strasbourg side that has proven difficult to beat at home.
The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams eager to secure a favorable result. Fans can follow the action live on Foot Mercato starting at 20:45, as Lyon seeks to overcome the challenges posed by injuries and suspensions, while Strasbourg looks to continue their impressive home record.
With the stakes high and both teams in good form, this clash at La Meinau is set to be a thrilling spectacle. Will Lyon's depth in squad and tactical adjustments be enough to secure the win, or will Strasbourg capitalize on their home advantage to claim all three points? The answer awaits as the game unfolds.
