Lyon trip looms large for PSG

Tough defeats
After drawing 1-1 with the champions in the French Super Cup in July, PSG lost out on penalties. Sylvain Wiltord's late double then gave Lyon a 2-1 League Cup win in Paris in October. Those defeats bit hard into the belief of a PSG side initially billed as potential title contenders. "The two losses against Lyon really hurt us, especially given how the games went," said coach Guy Lacombe. "Lyon are flying in the league but they are not unbeatable. Everyone wants to be the team to beat them and we are no exception. Being underdogs is not a bad position."

Storms brewing
The heavy storms threatening the weekend fixture at the Stade de Gerland might seem a light breeze compared to the typhoon of troubles facing PSG. The death of a supporter in incidents surrounding the UEFA Cup home defeat by Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC on 23 November - "one of the worst moments in our history" according to president Alain Cayzac - was the latest in a series of bad turns for the club. That came six weeks after the French Cup holders sacked midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo "on disciplinary grounds". Wracked by poor results, internal tensions and injuries - winger Jérôme Rothen is ruled out on Sunday with a bad back - Lacombe has chosen to train away from the capital this week.

Private training
PSG have been preparing behind closed doors in the spa town of Aix-les-Bains in the French Alps. "We needed to recover and reunite," said Lacombe. "Not only for Lyon but also for the UEFA Cup game against Panathinaikos [FC] next week, which is an important match for us." It is rumoured that former tennis star Yannick Noah - who was with PSG when they lifted the 1995/96 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup - has been enlisted to help Lacombe give his side a winning mentality. "We have been in touch with him for a long time but nothing has been done yet," said Lacombe.

Miracle needed
Arguably, PSG need a miracle worker rather than a sports psychologist as they seek their first victory in Lyon since a 2-0 success on 17 April 2005. Gérard Houllier's men are 14 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, fully 26 points above 14th-placed PSG. Already sure of UEFA Champions League qualification, they rested players for their final group-stage fixture, drawing 1-1 against FC Steaua Bucuresti. They are unbeaten at home this term. It may take more than a trip to the spa to get PSG going this weekend.