After going through a tough two-month period without scoring, Bradley Barcola has regained his efficiency in front of goal since mid-January. Tonight, the clash against Olympique Lyon will be a special test for the Paris Saint-Germain winger, as he returns to the stadium of his boyhood club at the peak of his career.

PSG has been on a spectacular run for over a month, fueled by their victory over Manchester City on January 22—a game that marked a turning point in the team’s season. Since then, Luis Enrique’s side has established itself as a formidable force, arriving in Lyon after a stunning 7-0 thrashing of Brest in the Champions League. Ousmane Dembélé has been the main star of 2025 so far, scoring 15 goals in 10 matches, but Barcola has also emerged as a key figure.

In the shadow of his “big brother” from the French national team, Bradley Barcola has been one of PSG’s most in-form players over the past five weeks. After a promising start to the season, his goal drought from November to January was concerning. However, his revival came in the Coupe de France, when he scored against Espaly, regaining confidence in his game.

Coach Luis Enrique had emphasized the importance of confidence in his performance. "It's not a technical issue, but a matter of confidence. He remains exceptional, even if he doesn’t score," he said after a match against Saint-Étienne. Since then, Barcola has responded with impressive numbers: six goals and seven assists in his last 11 matches.

A Turning Point Against Manchester City

The match against Manchester City was crucial in his comeback. In just five minutes, the winger reignited PSG’s hopes by assisting Ousmane Dembélé and scoring after a rebound from Désiré Doué’s shot, leveling the game at 2-2. Since then, his performances have been outstanding, particularly in the 4-1 win over Stuttgart, where he played a key role in the first two goals.

Tonight’s game will have a special meaning for Bradley Barcola, who grew up in Olympique Lyon’s academy and made his first-team debut in 2021. His move to PSG in the summer of 2023 caused controversy, and now he returns to the Groupama Stadium with the chance to confirm his progress in what is likely to be a hostile atmosphere.

Despite PSG’s great form, Olympique Lyon will aim to cause an upset and end the Parisians' unbeaten run in Ligue 1. All eyes will be on Barcola, who has the opportunity to solidify his rise and prove he is a key player in Luis Enrique’s project.