Ligue 1 preview: PSG determined to regain top spot

Mohamed Sissoko has hailed Paris Saint-Germain’s aggression, but wants to avoid a repeat of last week’s 4-4 thriller with Lyon.

PSG played out an extraordinary match at the Stade de Gerland last Saturday, giving up the lead to trail 3-1 and then 4-2, before netting in injury time to snatch a point.

Their failure to win allowed Montpellier to sneak into first place in Ligue 1, and the new leaders will look to cement their place in the standings when they travel to face Dijon on Saturday.

PSG can respond at home to Ajaccio a day later, with first-team regular Sissoko likely to be involved.

The Mali international, a former Liverpool and Juventus man, arrived at the club in July, and is already loving life in the French capital.

“Here in Paris, it’s fantastic; the whole team has grown a lot recently,” Sissoko told the Ligue 1 website.

“When there’s a lot of competition for places, you tend to sit back less.”

“Every position is hotly contested, be it in defence, midfield or attack, and I firmly believe this is a good thing for the squad. I’m relishing the competition.”

Sissoko offered a ringing endorsement for new coach Carlo Ancelotti, who replaced Antoine Kombouare in December.

“He’s a very cool manager,” Sissoko said.

“He doesn’t worry too much. He doesn’t panic. He’s a coach who brings a lot of experience to the table. There’s mutual respect between him and the players and that’s super-important.”

In Saturday’s other fixtures, Lyon will look to recover from the disappointment of throwing away victory against PSG when they travel to take on Nancy.

Defending champions Lille, third on the table, are at home to second-bottom side Auxerre.

Marseille will be hoping for their first win in three league matches when they host Toulouse, while bottom team Sochaux are at home to mid-table Valenciennes.

Also on Saturday, promoted club Evian go away to St Etienne, and struggling Nice, clear of the relegation zone on goal difference only, make the trip to Bordeaux.

While PSG are the main attraction on Sunday, Caen are also in action at home to Brest, while Stade Rennes go to Lorient.

Evian host Marseille on Tuesday in a fixture rescheduled due to bad weather earlier this month.