Pierre Sage, OL coach (credit: David Hernandez)
Before hosting ASSE on Sunday, OL should present a hybrid eleven against Hoffenheim this Thursday (9 p.m.). Alexandre Lacazette, for example, is expected on the bench.
For the moment, the significant turnover from one outing to another has not really been successful for OL. In Toulouse, despite the victory (1-2) and Auxerre (2-2), we noticed a lack of automatisms between the starters, which had an impact on the performance of Pierre's men Sage. But the Jura coach remains straight in his boots and does not necessarily intend to change his mind regarding his management of his squad for the moment. So this Thursday at Hoffenheim (9 p.m.), you shouldn't expect to see the typical eleven lined up.
Indeed, in his reflection, the technician includes the proximity of the derby against Saint-Etienne on Sunday evening. “I will take into account the two matches and it will be important in order to have maximum freshness and perform well in both competitions“, he said. We therefore understand that certain elements will have playing time divided between the Europa League and Ligue 1.
Towards a 5th start this season for Mikautadze
We think in particular of Alexandre Lacazettewho should be replaced by Georges Mikautadze at the forefront of the attack. “I want him to perform well in both matches, but not in both matches in their entirety, insisted Pierre Sage. You know the organization when you ask me the question, but in any case, there will be people and talent in the offensive sector for both confrontations.”
For the coach, “the challenge is to mobilize the players on the two deadlines, both by associating them, but also by dissociating them“, because both parts take place in “different tests“, more “the first will condition the second in the state of mind.“
Create associations
As in his last speeches on the subject, the native of Lons-le-Saunier spoke of his desire to create affinities between two or three footballers and then associate them. “We are more in a logic of emergence, that is to say that the association of players sometimes gives the result of three or four boys, he explained. And conversely, there are alliances which work much less, which inhibit both. We question the construction of our team from this angle, with the idea of creating assemblages that are positive.”
