Anthony Lopes (34) is having a very difficult time with his situation at OL after being relegated as OL’s fourth goalkeeper, who no longer counts on him. In an interview with L’Equipe, the Portuguese confides her great bitterness and assures that she was not warned of the situation.
Bitterness and anger. Anthony Lopes (34 years old) cannot digest the way in which OL demoted him in the hierarchy of goalkeepers this summer after having been the essential starter for eleven seasons. The Portuguese is paying for the decision of the new leaders to promote the Brazilian Lucas Perri as number 1 six months after his arrival from Brazil. They even recruited a number 2, Rémy Descamps to more clearly show the exit door to Lopes, who has not left… and who is not registered to play in the Europa League. In an interview with L’Equipe, Lopes says he finds the situation very difficult.
“I am in the place that was given to me, which is to say none”
“I simply think that I am not part of the hierarchy of goalkeepers at OL,” he declares. “I am in the place that was given to me, which is to say none. I accept the situation as best I can knowing that I have no other choice presented to me. I I’m in the training squad but not in the hierarchy, since I can’t apply to play.”
Lopes claims he was never notified of his upcoming downgrade at the time of Perri’s signing in January. “No one warned me that my place was in question,” he certifies. “I was clearly not told anything in January. I prefer to re-establish the truth at this level. (…) You should know that I have never been criticized for anything sportingly or in my involvement in training and in the locker room…” The club denies and claims to have warned its goalkeeper of its new situation: “OL have well informed Anthony Lopes and his representatives of the situation and sporting developments”.
Faced with this situation, the player with 489 matches for Lyon is looking for a new challenge after the failure of a departure this summer. He also thanks the supporters for their support shown during the defeat against OM (2-3), caused by an error by Perri. With whom Lopes is not kind while the situation could be delicate for the Brazilian.
“If he endures the situation, I’m willing to swap roles! I’m willing to play again. It’s a bit presumptuous to think that it was the supporters’ chant that made him make his mistake. Mistakes happen, of course… I’m out of the squad, I can’t be responsible for what happens during matches, and I’m behind OL whatever happens.”
