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In their first Ligue 1 matchup of the new season, Partick Vieira's Strasbourg and Laurent Blanc's Lyon will meet at the Stade de la Meinau on Sunday night. This will be the reunion of two players from France's 1998 World Cup-winning team.
The visitors approach the 2023–24 season having suffered four losses in five preseason games, compared to the hosts who won three, drew three, and lost one of their seven preseason games this summer.
Strasbourg made dramatic changes from the top down at the football club after narrowly avoiding relegation from Ligue 1 last season, finishing 15th and only five points above the drop zone. The changes were made in an effort to turn the club's fortunes around in 2023–24.
BlueCo, a group headed by Todd Boehly that purchased Chelsea last summer, acquired the Racers in June. A few weeks later, former Crystal Palace manager Vieira was named head coach on a three-year contract.
Similar to Chelsea, Strasbourg has splashed lavishly on youthful talent in the transfer market, signing eight new players for almost €55 million, including defender Abakar Sylla from Club Brugge for a club-record €20 million.
The German club Werder Bremen hosted the Alsace-based team for a doubleheader last weekend, with the first game ending in a 3-3 draw and the second one ending in a 2-1 victory.
Against a Lyon team they defeated 2-1 away from home in January, Vieira is now looking to start his reign on a winning note and lead Strasbourg to their first opening-day win in Ligue 1 in four years.
Meanwhile, Lyon, who finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season, five points behind Lille in fifth, failed to qualify for the European Championship for the third time in four years.
An electrifying clash awaits as Strasbourg squares off against Lyon in a highly anticipated Ligue 1 encounter. Both teams have shown moments of brilliance in the league, making this contest a potential spectacle for football enthusiasts. Strasbourg, fueled by their passionate fanbase at Stade de la Meinau, will be aiming to capitalize on their home advantage and secure a statement victory against the formidable Lyon.
Strasbourg's recent form has been a mixed bag, with glimpses of their attacking prowess shining through in some matches, while defensive vulnerabilities have occasionally been exposed. Managerial tactics will play a crucial role in how they approach this game, seeking to strike the right balance between their attacking intent and defensive stability. The performances of key players like Ludovic Ajorque and Adrien Thomasson will be pivotal in unlocking Lyon's defense.
On the other hand, Lyon enters the fray with a reputation for free-flowing attacking football and an eye for goal. Led by a potent attacking lineup featuring the likes of Memphis Depay and Moussa Dembélé, Lyon will be aiming to seize control of the game early on and impose their style of play. However, their defensive organization will be tested against Strasbourg's desire to exploit any gaps in the backline.
This encounter promises to be a captivating showdown between two sides with distinct strengths and weaknesses. While Lyon might carry the tag of favorites, Strasbourg's unpredictability and home advantage could tip the balance in their favor. Fans can expect a clash of strategies and a battle for dominance as both teams vie for crucial points early in the Ligue 1 season. The outcome of this match could have lasting implications for both teams' aspirations, making it a fixture not to be missed.
After Peter Bosz's dismal spell ended in October, Laurent Blanc was brought in to steady the ship. However, Les Gones ultimately missed out on a top-five finish and have since failed to get over the setback in preseason.
In fact, after a 2-1 victory in a friendly match against the Dutch minnows De Treffers, the team suffered four straight losses to Manchester United, RWDM, Celta Vigo, and Crystal Palace, including a 2-0 loss to the latter at Selhurst Park last weekend.
Blanc is conscious of the strain he is under as Lyon's manager entering his first full season, and he would undoubtedly appreciate an opening-day win on Sunday given the difficult matches against Nice and the defending champions Paris Saint-Germain that lie ahead.
In their most recent matchup with the Racers, Lyon prevailed 2-1 away from home in April, winning one of their last nine encounters with Strasbourg.
