Saïd Benrahma lors de Montpellier – OL (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP)
For the first meeting of 2025, OL host Montpellier this Saturday (9 p.m.). Pierre Sage chose to rely on a 4-2-3-1, but without Rayan Cherki and Corentin Tolisso. Doubly decisive in the Coupe de France, Saïd Benrahma will play as leader.
The outage was short-lived, but enough to recharge the family's batteries. Two weeks after qualifying for the Coupe de France, OL are already back on the pitch, in Ligue 1 this time. The year 2025 begins with the reception of Montpellier in Décines and the Lyonnais are keen to make this start perfectly in order to launch January in the best possible way. Facing Montpellier, dead last in the championship, the mission does not look insurmountable, far from it. But we must always be wary of a restart match, especially in the cold and rain which has affected the Lyon area in recent hours. For this first meeting of the year, Pierre Sage chose to rely on a forward formation with four offensive elements and a 4-2-3-1.
Caleta-Car rather than Niakhaté
Nothing surprising on paper, but much more in the choice of men. At kick-off at 9 p.m., Rayan Cherki will start on the bench and not in the leader position as expected. Sage chose to “reward” Saïd Benrahmaauthor of a goal and an assist against Feignies Aulnoye. A strong choice from the Lyon coach who also chose to preserve Corentin Tolisso in the midfield. The midfielder was affected in the Coupe de France and followed a program developed during this recovery week. This precaution propels Jordan Veretout in the eleven alongside Nemanja Matic. Another choice from Pierre Sage, that of leaving Moussa Niakhaté on the bench and relaunching Duje Caleta-Car, suspended in the Coupe de France and not necessarily to his advantage at the end of 2024.
The composition of OL against Montpellier: Perry v Maitland-Niles, Mata, Caleta-Car, Abner v Veretout, Matic v Nuamah, Benrahma, Fofana v Lacazette (cap.)
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