“The coach knows why he rotates a lot”

Moussa Niakhaté (OL) (Photo by Cyril Lestage/DPPI)

Following the elimination of OL in the Coupe de France, Moussa Niakhaté was questioned about the Lyonnais' non-match. And the Senegalese defender spoke in particular about the defensive turnover made by Pierre Sage.

After being eliminated by Bourgoin-Jallieu in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, theOL must quickly restart. Indeed, the Lyonnais face Toulouse this Saturday (9:05 p.m.) for the 18th day of Ligue 1. This redemption match will have to go through a collective and especially defensive foundation. In the last eleven matches, the Lyonnais have only managed to keep a clean sheet three times. The Cup match also showed a certain fragility with the doublet Omari – Niakhate. The latter was also questioned about the turnover frequently observed in central defense.

“We must adapt to all situations”

Since the start of the season, Pierre Sage often modified its central defense as each side performed. A turnover which poses no problem for the Lyon defender. “The coach knows why he rotates a lot. We were in three different competitions with a lot of matches. Everyone has their say and everyone is not a player in this squad. But he has a strategy in place.”

However, it is generally said that a central defense needs automatisms to perform. Since the start of the season, however, the doubles have been one after another. The observation that everything is not going well defensively? Moussa No matter what assures that this turnover should not be a problem or an excuse. “It was my first match with Warmed (Omari). Personally, it doesn't change me. Whether I play with Warmed, Duje, Clinton or with X or Y. As a professional player, you have to adapt to all situations. We are Olympique Lyonnais players and therefore quality players. Personally, I have no problem playing with anyone as long as it is for the good of OL and we win the match..”