This Friday, our debate around OL focuses on the attack to be launched on Sunday (5 p.m.) against Nice. Two journalists from the editorial team do not agree on the choice that Pierre Sage must make, who will undoubtedly raise the subject during the press conference this afternoon.
WHY NOT BOTH?
We too often oppose the General and the former Messin in my opinion. Wrong? Probably ! Indeed, the idea of seeing a 4-4-2 does not correspond to the qualities of the squad as it stands because that would amount to sacrificing Malick Fofana. No, we have to stay in 4-2-3-1 or even 4-3-3. However, “Mikau” is in my opinion sufficiently technical to play on the right, where he sometimes played in his training when he was in competition with Amine Gouiri. Right winger is today a poorly established position in Lyon since Ernest Nuamah continues to disappoint there, outing after outing.
Certainly, at the start of the season, it didn't work. But I remember that at the time the Georgian was in low spirits, had just missed a penalty against Rennes for his first match (where Lacazette was suspended) and was struggling to adapt to his new team. Today, things are better. Georges Mikautadze chased away his demons, became a football player again and showed in Baku yesterday that his already anticipated rise to power against Auxerre was not just a flash in the pan. I still want to believe in him but, until the departure of Alexandre Lacazette, and even if he is less successful currently, I refuse to condemn the second top scorer in OL history.
To summarize, my dream this Sunday against Nice is that Pierre Sage forgets the rotations he might have had in mind and says to himself that a Lacazette – Mikautadze – Cherki – Fofana quartet would look “good” and must finally be tempted (at the start of the season, Cherki was in the loft). Many Lyonnais would pay a lot to see the fantastic four lined up together…
Alexandre CORBOZ
Lacazette to start, Mikautadze as finisher
I'm going to take the opposite view on this debate, since I'm not very keen on Mikautadze on one side. Certainly, this is not a position where we have been able to see him regularly, but this few times was enough not to completely convince me (including his entry against Monaco at the start of the season). For me, the choice is clear, Pierre Sage must naturally line up Alexandre Lacazette. The General remained cool without coming into play this Thursday evening against Qarabag.
Beyond my personal opinion, it would therefore be a logical choice on the part of the Lyon coach, who let Mikautadze play the entire match. Even if the Georgian does not start against Nice, his rebirth will be of great benefit to this group, especially with the upcoming deadlines. Going with the quartet of Fofana, Lacazette, Benrahma and Cherki against the Aiglons seems coherent to me and even very attractive on paper.
We know the form of these boys, and if we add to that a Mikautadze on fire during the match, it could create sparks. For me, this is precisely where Lyon will find its success, especially since there has only been one defeat in the last twelve matches. The series must continue…
William TERTRIN
