In the eye of the storm since the start of the calendar year, the Rhone goalkeeper can count on the support of his coach.
Anthony Lopes is going through a complicated season. The goalkeeper is no longer unanimous among Lyon supporters. Moreover, at the start of the winter transfer window, the Rhone club registered the signing of Lucas Perri, from Botafogo. This 26-year-old Brazilian player, measuring 1m97, is expected to succeed the Portuguese next season.
Asked about the complicated period that the native of Givors is going through, Pierre Sage wanted to show his confidence in him. “We have been talking about this subject for several years and the attacks have been increasing. The team’s pale face is played out in all positions. I want to ensure that my entire team is dynamic”declared the OL coach, at a press conference, on the eve of the clash against Olympique de Marseille.
“We will talk less about Lopes if we are better”
“He had difficult times against Rennes (editor’s note, 2-3 defeat). Looking back, I don’t think we helped him. We have a goalkeeper who manages depth well, but we have gone backwards. There is inevitably doubt that will arise and attitudes that will result from it. It is up to us to send him the necessary force. We will talk less about Anthony Lopes if we are better”continued the 44-year-old technician.
Lucas Perri, brought in as a replacement in the short or medium term, will have his second European experience at OL. At the start of 2019, he was loaned to Crystal Palace, but had not played a single match for this club.
