Olympique Lyonnais travels to Nice this Sunday for the third day of Ligue 1 (8:45 p.m.). Here is the line-up expected for OL.
Lyon is up against the wall. The Rhone club completely missed its start to the season, conceding two consecutive losses, including a humiliating defeat against Montpellier at Groupama Stadium 8 days ago (1-4). This trip to Nice is like a first pivotal date for OL’s season. Laurent Blanc is perfectly aware of this.
Very annoyed in recent weeks, the technician expects quality opposition in this match. “Nice is a good team, which has the means to recruit. For 2 or 3 years, they have evolved, it will not be a piece of cake. If there’s not a reaction all together, it’s going to be problematic. We couldn’t do what we wanted in the offseason and we have serious injuries, but there are points at stake.
To try to get their first points, OL will have to deal without several managerial players. Goalkeeper Anthony Lopes and central defender Dejan Lovren are in the infirmary, while striker Alexandre Lacazette will be suspended after his expulsion last week. White is therefore forced to reshape his eleven in large widths. If uncertainty hangs over the tactical animation of OL, the tenure of Sarr and Mata are expected. Lyon’s hopes will be embodied by Cherki and Barcola, called to chain.
The expected composition of Lyon : Riou – Mata, Caleta-Car, Diomandé, Tagliafico – Lepenant, Tolisso – Cherki, Caqueret, Barcola – Sarr.
