Deprived of many incumbents, in slow motion for a month in League 1, and shaken by internal dissensions, Little must find some energy, tonight against Lorient (9:00 p.m.), to remain the dolphin of Paris SG.
While the Hakes move on the lawn of Losc, at the end of the 11th day, Christophe Pelissier’s men have not found the net for three meetings. Tonight, it will be a big challenge against the second best defense in the championship …
Beaten in Brest (3-2) before the break, for their first defeat of the season, the Mastiffs, who were previously two draws, lost their little head start on the competition. They are now only third, with only two units more than eighth, Nice.
“Against Brest, we were absent in all areas for 37 minutes. No player was at his level and we were heavily penalized, even if we then showed a whole different face ”, regretted Christophe Galtier.
The mini-truce that followed surrounded the atmosphere at Luchin’s estate with doubts, after an interview with the technician in the newspaper L’Equipe in which he worried about the absence of Luis Campos, the advisor to President Gérard Lopez who is at odds with the general manager Marc Ingla. “(His departure) could weaken everyone’s work, quite simply the project. I am convinced that we would be stronger with three, the president, Luis and me ”, Galtier insisted on Friday.
Without Renato Sanches
If Lorient, 17th (8 pts), looks like the ideal opposition to revive, four days from a shock of the Europa League against AC Milan, the Lille will be far from having all their living forces.
Central defender José Fonte and striker Burak Yilmaz, impeccable sporting and leaders of a group of which they are the deans, are suspended. Midfielder Renato Sanches and right-back Zeki Celik were injured in the selection. The first has already started running after an injury to the hamstring but the second, victim of a big sprained ankle, will miss several weeks of competition.
If we add the suspension of the left side Reinildo, usual replacement but that the last performances of Domagoj Bradaric could revive, it is five holders in power who will be absent. “It is now that the workforce must bring its wealth: the positions are doubled, with different profiles, and everyone is ready to play,” said the northern coach. “Those who didn” t have a lot of playing time lately will be able to exist, they are confident and must play their part to make sure that we are efficient “, he added.
Double-edged truce
In recent weeks, the tech has already proven he can be successful with a revamped squad. Among the absent from the weekend, only Fonte had started during the victory on the ground of Sparta Prague (4-1) in the Europa League. Yilmaz had entered for the last half hour, while Losc was already leading in the score.
With only two points taken during the meetings following the European games, Lille has for the moment difficulties to manage a very dense program. Healthy on paper, the international break adds a form of uncertainty, the cut being not quite one for the many players called up with their national team.
“It does good mentally to those who go into selection, who find relatives and affinities, but I don’t think the cut does good on a physical level. The calendar is there, it is difficult but on the other hand we have the privilege of playing and working ”, judged Galtier.
Used sporadically, Xeka, Jérémy Pied and Adama Soumaoro, who were able to stay to train in the North during the break, will be among those who will have to bring their freshness. And put doubt in the head of a coach who, until recently, seemed to have found his typical team.
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