OL are preparing to face Angers after two consecutive losses, including a defeat against PSG. Despite the offensive difficulties and absences, coach Paulo Fonseca insists that his team must not lose confidence. He stressed that the match against Paris, although lost, allowed his players to measure themselves against a great team and to keep a positive feeling.
Fonseca recalled that the season began with a series of matches at Hoffenheim where he rotated widely to prepare for the clash against PSG, considered a priority. He said that, even after the defeat, the team delivered a performance of which it can be proud. According to him, trust has not been compromised and he does not question the general dynamic of the group. OL remain three points from first place, a position that the Portuguese considers difficult to imagine given the problems encountered at the offensive level.
A new blow for Les Gones is the absence of Tyler Morton, who will be out of the match against Angers. Morton, considered by Fonseca as a “very important” player, usually plays the role of regista in midfield. His absence should not, however, modify Lyon's intentions. American midfielder Tanner Tessmann, recently arrived in Lyon, is presented as the natural solution to take over. Fonseca also mentioned that other options were tested in training during the week, without specifying their identity. Offensive solutions are also limited with the serious injury of Pavel Sulc, who suffered a meniscus injury in his right knee. The player will soon undergo surgery and is expected to remain unavailable for approximately four months.
Fonseca also resumed his late changes against PSG. He explained that his first substitution was made after the Paris goal, but that he felt his team still had their plan under control at that point. “After the match, it’s easy to talk. But I have to decide in the match. I thought the team was good at that point,” he said. According to him, the profiles present on the bench did not necessarily make it easy to modify the strategy prepared to challenge Paris. He thus dismisses the idea that OL would have lost because of their replacements.
Today, OL remains focused on the next duel against Angers. The key is to maintain confidence and move forward, transforming the good feelings experienced against PSG into a positive result. Les Gones are looking to capitalize on this energy to turn around their two recent defeats and remain competitive in the race for first place.