LOSC Lille will look to extend its seven-game unbeaten streak when it hosts Olympique Lyonnais on Friday night at Stade Pierre-Mauroy while the visitors attempt to snap its two-match winless streak.
The Mastiffs are on an outstanding run with their last loss coming on September 17 against Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League. Since then, LOSC have secured impressive victories over Real Madrid, Atlético de Madridand RC Lens.
Jonathan David has been one of the catalysts for Lille during this impressive run as he’s scored eight goals across all competitions since the loss to the Portuguese side in mid-September.
Bruno Génésio will also face his former club, which he spent five years in charge of (from 2015 to 2019). Despite being away from the club for the last five years, the Lille boss will always have a soft spot for Les Goneseven though there have been changes since his exit.
“Time has passed, and the club has changed. Of course, I still consider myself a Lyonnais—I was born and raised here. I started playing at the age of five in Lyon, and I’ve experienced nearly everything there.”
“I’ve been both a player and a coach, and you can’t just erase that part of my life. There are fewer people I know at the club now, which makes things a bit different. It’s still a match, though—it’s not particularly special, but it does feel different.”
If OL want to come away with the road victory, one player that will need to play a significant role is 19-year-old Malick Fofana. Since the win over Toulouse on September 29, the teenager has scored four goals and recorded one assist as the young player is starting to flash his potential.
OL manager Pierre Sage spoke this week about the growth he sees from the young player.
“We wanted to take our time with him, allowing him to settle into the locker room and the team, and to move past any concerns about his integration, so that he could fully showcase his skills and talent. A month ago, we were questioning his ability to start matches, but he has just crossed that threshold.”
“Now, it’s about consistency and improving his performances. This process has taken a year and a half, but if he emerges as a different player by the end of the season, we will have fulfilled the commitment we made to him and his family, as we were genuinely dedicated to supporting him through his development.”
Expect Lille and OL to be an exciting contest as both teams look to gain positive momentum ahead of their European matches next week.
READ MORE:
>>OL: Malick Fofana, More Than Just a Substitute
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