PSG v Lille – Spotlight on LOSC: tense contenders for Europe? | OneFootball

This Friday January 16, Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) faces Lille (4th) at Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 PM, broadcast on Ligue1+) during the 18th matchday of Ligue 1 2025-2026. And as before every match, here is the presentation of the Parisians' opponent.

The situation of Lille –

After several fluctuating years, between very good results, tensions, and coaching changes, Lille seems to be stabilizing a bit. At least, Bruno Génésio, who arrived in June 2024, is not rumored to be leaving. And he has built something interesting.

This is notably thanks to a summer transfer window that seems to have been quite successful. There were significant departures that could have raised some concerns, but the Lille team already shows a good cohesion, the game idea is still there, and the potential is present.

There are still some quite annoying slip-ups, particularly due to a sometimes fragile defense. Even if the start of the season is rather good in the league, 4th place in Ligue 1, the record in the Europa League (3 wins and 3 losses) leads to a not very encouraging 20th place. As for the Coupe de France, there was (as for PSG) elimination in the round of 16. It was against Lyon.

The summer transfer window 2025 –

Source: Transfermarkt.

Departures:

Arrivals:

The winter transfer window 2025/2026 –

Source: Transfermarkt.

Departures:

Arrivals:

Main statistics –

This season, Lille has the 3rd best attack in Ligue 1 with 33 goals scored (the first, PSG, has 37, and the last, Auxerre, has 14), and is among the 7th defenses with 22 goals conceded (Lens has the best defense with 13 goals conceded and the last, Metz, has 38).

The top scorer for Lille is Hakon Arnar Haraldsson (22-year-old attacking midfielder), with 5 goals he is 12th in the league (the top scorer in Ligue 1 is Mason Greenwood with 11 goals). Felix Correia (24-year-old forward) is the top assist provider for the Lille club, with 4 assists and he is 10th in Ligue 1 (Adrien Thomasson is first with 6 assists).

Lille's last 5 matches –

Only Lille's possession is indicated and Lille's shots are listed first (when data is available).

12/11/2025 (Europa League) – Young Boys of Bern (down to 10 men in the 92nd, 1-0)/Lille (down to 10 men in the 32nd minute, 0-0) – 1-0. In 4-2-3-1. 55% possession. 7 shots with 1 on target against 11 shots (4 on target).

12/14/2025 (Ligue 1) – Auxerre (down to 10 men in the 60th minute, 1-1, then to 9 in the 88th, 3-4)/Lille (down to 10 men in the 39th minute, 0-1, then to 9 in the 88th, 3-4): 3-4. In 4-2-3-1. 53% possession. 7 shots with 5 on target against 17 shots (10 on target).

12/20/2025 (Coupe de France) – Lusitanos/Lille: 0-1. In 4-2-3-1. 14 shots with 5 on target against 7 shots (3 on target).

01/03/2026 (Ligue 1) – Lille (down to 10 men in the 14th, 0-0) /Rennes: 0-2. In 4-2-3-1. 43% possession. 11 shots with 3 on target against 14 shots (3 on target).

01/11/2026 (Coupe de France) – Lille/OL – 1-2. In 4-2-3-1. 59% possession. 7 shots with 1 on target against 12 shots (6 on target).

The squad:

Absentees – André, Gomes, Touré, Verdonk (injury), Igamane (AFCON), Fernandez-Pardo (unknown reason).

The probable team in 4-2-3-1.

Giroud

Sahraoui – Haraldsson – E. Mbappé

Bentaleb – Bouaddi

Perraud – Alexsandro – Mandi – Meunier

Özer

Lille's playing style.

Bruno Génésio's LOSC likes to have the ball, preferably in the opponent's half, and to vary their attacks. The desire to play high can lead to attempting the offside trap to push the pressing. And there are good offensive weapons to attack afterward.

Clearly, PSG will have to be attentive and in good form to avoid unpleasant surprises. Lille could also adapt by being more defensive, but then counterattacks would be a concern. And it is quite possible that Lille prefers to stick to their habits to disrupt the Parisians in their build-up.

There is also a tendency to receive red cards lately. Perhaps due to nervousness in a busy season? In any case, new sanctions could quickly irritate the Lille side.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.