PSG vs. Lyon: Starting Lineups, Two Doubts Remain

For this Matchday 8 fixture of the 2026-27 Ligue 1 season, the day's press largely agrees on the starting lineups for PSG vs. Lyon on Monday. There are two doubts.

After a one-day postponement that ultimately seems excessive, Paris and Lyon meet Monday at the Parc des Princes for one of the season's finest fixtures, and the announced lineups for this PSG vs. Lyon match are logically strong, with nearly all starters from both sides.

The only ones who won't be are mainly the absentees: Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos, Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Openda, etc.

For PSG, the lineup against Lyon will almost certainly start with Safonov in goal and a back four featuring Achraf Hakimi on the right and the Zabarnyi/Pacho pairing in the center. On the left, the press is divided: L'Équipe leans toward Lucas Digne, while Le Parisien favors Lucas Hernandez, one of the night's big doubts.

The other big question mark is midfield. While everyone reports Vitinha as the starting holding midfielder, it is less clear which two players will accompany him in PSG's 4-3-3 midfield.

L'Équipe starts Zaïre-Emery on his left and João Neves on his right. For Le Parisien, Zaïre-Emery will indeed start there, but on the right, and Fabian Ruiz will start on the opposite side instead of Neves.

In attack, don't expect as many surprises: Ferran Torres should take the center-forward role, Maghnes Akliouche the right side, and Désiré Doué the left for this first match without Kvaratskhelia. Mika Godts is expected to be on the bench, as are Senny Mayulu and Quentin Ndjantou, who are now certain to be in the squad given all the absentees.

PSG's starting XI vs. Lyon according to French media: Safonov; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Digne (or Hernandez); Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz (or Neves); Akliouche, Torres, Doué.

For Lyon, the lineup facing PSG is a bit of a puzzle given the numerous key absentees (Tagliafico, Openda, Sulc), and Paulo Fonseca is expected to play a 4-3-3. In front of Greif, we should see a defense of Athekame, Bacher, Niakhaté, and Abner from right to left, the current starters.

In midfield, Morton should be the holding midfielder, with Tessmann as the right central midfielder of the night. Despite fitness doubts, Corentin Tolisso is expected to play as the left central midfielder. In attack, injuries will put Merah in the central false-nine role, with Nuamah on the right and Duranville on the left.

Lyon's starting XI vs. PSG according to French media: Greif; Athekame, Bacher, Niakhaté, Abner; Tessmann, Morton, Tolisso; Nuamah, Merah, Duranville.