PA Media/dpa
London
Coach Luis Enrique says Paris Saint-Germain will face opponents with “a glorious past” in Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash against Lyon at Parc des Princes.
PSG, fresh from a crucial Champions League victory over Salzburg, are unbeaten league leaders with 10 wins and four draws.
It has left them five points clear of a chasing pack led by Marseille, with Lyon fifth, but on a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
“We know our opponents well. They are PSG’s historic rivals - they have a glorious past,” PSG head coach Enrique told the club’s website.
“It is going to be a tough game because they are a team that play the ball well. I remember this from last season, in the league and in the Coupe de France final.
“They are on a positive trajectory, both in Ligue 1 and in Europe.
But this kind of game generates a lot of ambition in us to put on a great performance and rise to the occasion.” PSG’s 3-0 win at Salzburg breathed life into their Champions League campaign, and they already look well on course for a successful Ligue 1 title defence.
Enrique added: “It was the Champions League, it was away from home and we needed points.
“We played a complete game. We are very happy with what we did there, and we need to keep up the good work.
“I don’t know how long it will take us to be at our best, but I am very happy with what I am seeing. We are on the right track, and I have maximum confidence in my players.” PSG received a major midweek boost when Lucas Hernandez made his return from a knee injury suffered seven months ago.
He appeared as a late substitute, and could now be involved against Lyon, with Enrique adding: “When a player is out for six or seven months, it takes time to come back physically.
“But I have never seen anything like that with him. Obviously, we can’t play him for 90 minutes, but we have already given him some game-time.” Elsewhere, Presnel Kimpembe and Senny Mayulu are set to miss out due to injury, but Ousmane Dembele is available again after serving a one-match suspension that kept him out of the Salzburg game.
