Lyon vs Paris St Germain - Thiago Motta warns PSG not to overlook a faded Lyon threat

Lyon are no longer the threat to Paris St Germain's title ambitions that they were 12 months ago, but PSG defender Thiago Motta is still wary of facing Les Gones on the road.

When this fixture was played last February, Lyon led their opponents and nearest rivals for the title by two points. It finished 1-1 that day, but PSG would go on to overhaul Lyon and lift a third successive championship.

As the two teams prepare to meet again, PSG, yet to lose in the league this season, have no challengers. Laurent Blanc's side are coasting to the title with a 24-point lead heading into match day 28 and with Nantes' 32-game unbeaten record in their sights.

Lyon are fifth in the table, two points off the Champions League places and 34 points adrift of PSG.

To say PSG have become a nemesis for Lyon is not overstating matters. The teams have already met four times this campaign, with Blanc's men winning on each occasion - scoring 12 goals along the way and conceding just twice.

However, Thiago Motta insists PSG will not be underestimating their opponents.

"Lyon are a good side. We have played four times against them this season, but every match is different. They need the points and will do everything to win in front of their fans. We will be heading there to play our football and win," the Italian said on his club's official website.

Having overcome Lyon in the Super Cup at the start of the season, the reverse fixture in Paris and in both domestic cup competitions, PSG remain on course for a quadruple trophy haul in France.

Motta said: "I think it's possible if we stay focused on each individual match. Next week we have a huge match against St Etienne and we'll do what we can to continue our run in the Coupe de France, to defend our title.

"I have always said in football, we win and we lose as a team, we attack and we defend as a team.

"There are teams that rely on individual brilliance to win matches, but I think it's much harder to play like that. But everyone has their own mentality and way of seeing the game. For me, a side that plays good team football is better to watch, but also to play in."

Despite PSG's dominance this season, it cannot mask Lyon's problems.

Bruno Genesio enjoyed a good start after coming in as coach but three wins in his last seven league games and defeats at Bastia and Lille have shown that the same inconsistencies that plagued former boss Hubert Fournier remain.

Genesio will not be helped by injuries to key players while Samual Umtiti is suspended on Sunday.

The Lyon boss told his club's official website: "(Aldo) Kalulu is getting back to full fitness; (Corentin) Tolisso is unavailable, Rafael is also out of action; (Maxime) Gonalons is ill and doubtful to play but I'm holding out hope.

"(Tolisso's) absence will be tough for us as he has been in great form of late, and getting better. We know what he brings to the side. But there is a group of lads who could play in his stead."

One thing that might be in Lyon's favour on Sunday is history. PSG have only won once in Lyon in the last 10 years, when a Jeremy Menez goal handed them the Ligue 1 title in 2013.