The two largest suppliers of talent in France have been stuck for more than two decades on the queen competition of training centers. Lyon and PSG meet this Saturday at 2 p.m. in the round of 16 of the Gambardella Cup, at the OL training center, a few steps from the Groupama Stadium.
PSG won the competition only once, in 1991. Lyon, it lifted the trophy for the last time in 1997, with three finals lost since (2005, 2006 and 2015). "This scarcity is not simple, there is a lot of pressure," explains Vincent Guérin in a long interview he gave us. In this age group, the emotional factor is very important and more complicated to manage. PSG was often released in the first rounds on penalties by teams of lower caliber, which illustrates this problem of pressure management. This year, we are no longer there. "
Paris actually passed the first round without trembling against Évry (R3) (0-8), before an excellent performance against Lens, a big team (2-6), and a victory at Reims (R1) (0-2). The Ile-de-France club moves for the fourth consecutive time. Expectations are reinforced by his elimination in the group stage of the Youth League. Lyon, for its part, has made Gambardella its top priority, ahead of European competition where it is still in the race. Eric Hély, the new coach of this team, was notably recruited for his three trophies in the event (one as a player, two as coach of Sochaux).
Paris with Aouchiche, without Kouassi or Simons
Several familiar faces of the followers of the two clubs will be present. On the PSG side, Tanguy Kouassi, the leader of this generation, was chosen among the professionals. Adil Aouchiche, who is constantly training with the professional group, is however very present, as are Arnaud Kalimuendo and Timothée Pembélé, the other thirds in the last world 17 months with the France team. They will find their teammate in the blue jersey the Lyonnais Melih Altikulac. Xavi Simons, who arrived from Barça last summer, forfeited after being the victim of a slight concussion following a ball received in the face.
In Lyon, the star of the team, Rayan Cherki, only 16, was left available by Rudi Garcia and will be there. The local prodigy will find his former coach Stéphane Roche, who arrived on the PSG bench from OL last summer. Parisian Kays Ruiz-Atil, originally from the Lyon region, will also evolve in a particular context.
Probable teams
Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Groupama Training Center.
Arbitrator: M. Cardon.
Lyon: Ousmane - Commaret, Felix, Lukeba, Altikulac - Thomas (cap.), Da Silva - Dib, Cherki, Barcola - Wissa. Entr. : E. Hély.
PSG: Franchi - Pembélé (cap.), Baldé, Coulibaly, Larkèche - Ruiz-Atil, Bitumazala, Mutombo - Aouchiche - Nagera, Kalimuendo. Entr. : S. Roche.