Lyon’s Mata and Ghezzal Set for Lorient Clash, Mangala and Tessmann Absent
As the 15th round of Ligue 1 approaches, Lyon is set to face Lorient on Sunday at 20:45. Coach Paulo Fonseca has announced a squad of 20 players for this crucial match, welcoming back Clinton Mata after his absence in previous games.
Player Availability for the Match
In recent weeks, Lyon has struggled with player availability due to injuries and suspensions. This has limited Fonseca’s options on the field. For the upcoming clash, however, the situation remains challenging as two key players will not be participating.
Absent Players
- Orel Mangala: Suffered a thigh strain towards the end of the match against Nantes and is ruled out.
- Tanner Tessmann: After a brief return to action last week, Tessmann sustained an injury during a training session.
These absences are a setback for Lyon, particularly in midfield, where the team is already stretched thin.
Returning Players
- Clinton Mata: Making his return to the squad after missing the last two matches.
- Rachid Ghezzal: Returned to training earlier this week and is included in the traveling roster.
The return of Mata is significant for Lyon, especially after the team successfully employed a three-center-back system in recent outings.
Expected Lineup
The likely lineup for this fixture includes:
| Goalkeepers | Descamps, Greif |
|---|---|
| Defenders | Da Silva, Abner, Barisic, Hateboer, Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhaté, Tagliafico |
| Midfielders | De Carvalho, Merah, Tolisso, Morton |
| Forwards | Ghezzal, Karabec, Moreira, Satriano, Sulc, Rodriguez |
Lyon’s management and fans will be eager to see how the team adapts without Mangala and Tessmann. The dynamics of the game against Lorient will be pivotal in their ongoing Ligue 1 campaign.
