Olympique Lyonnais manager Paulo Fonseca has confirmed that captain Corentin Tolisso will miss the team's pivotal Ligue 1 match against Paris Saint-Germain this weekend due to injury. The Portuguese coach revealed the news in a press conference on Friday, detailing a significant list of absentees for the trip to the Parc des Princes.
Fonseca admitted he took a calculated risk by playing Tolisso in the recent victory over Lorient, aware the midfielder was not fully fit. "I knew when I used him in the last match it was a risk," Fonseca stated. "But we needed him to win the match. He is not ready for the match against PSG." The 29-year-old French international, who rejoined Lyon from Bayern Munich in 2022, has been a key figure in the club's midfield this season.
The injury crisis extends far beyond the captain. According to the manager, the club will also be without attackers Malick Fofana and Ernest Nuamah, as well as midfielder Pavel Šulc, all sidelined with injuries. Furthermore, defender Nicolás Tagliafico will serve the final match of a three-game suspension following his red card against Monaco on March 22nd. This leaves Fonseca with severely depleted options as Lyon seeks a positive result against the league leaders.
The timing of these absences is particularly damaging for Lyon, who are embroiled in a tight race for European qualification. A positive result against PSG would provide a massive boost to their ambitions. Tolisso's leadership and experience in big matches will be sorely missed in the capital. His absence places additional pressure on the remaining senior players in the squad to step up in a high-pressure environment.
This setback continues a challenging season for Lyon, which has seen a coaching change and a protracted takeover process, with Michele Kang reportedly close to acquiring the club. Fonseca's remarks underscored a season-long struggle with player availability. The manager humorously, yet pointedly, noted the constant issues, saying, "It's always the same thing! Every press conference... We continue with problems." The team's next chance to field a full-strength side may not come until after the international break, as they navigate this critical period in their campaign.
