Olympique Lyonnais will face Le Havre AC this weekend with a modified squad, as coach Paulo Fonseca has made sporting decisions for this Ligue 1 fixture. The newspaper Le Progrès reported on Friday that players Ouedraogo and Kluivert are not on the match sheet, a purely tactical absence.
Le Havre AC, currently 14th in the championship with 0 points after one defeat, travels to Lyon for the second matchday. The Norman team has conceded one goal and scored none, placing them three points behind leaders Olympique de Marseille. Le Havre's next fixture is against Estac Troyes on November 21st.
Who is missing from the Lyon side?
In addition to the exclusions of Ouedraogo and Kluivert, winger Duranville is also unavailable. The player is suffering from muscular fatigue felt during the trip to Toulouse last week. He already missed the match against Fenerbahçe and will remain in the infirmary for the reception of HAC. These absences force Fonseca to draw from his squad, the full composition of which is available on our squad page.
Paulo Fonseca has therefore filtered his group for this home game. Goalkeeper Greif will be backed up by Bengui and Descamps. The defense will feature Tagliafico, Athekame, Abner, Niakhaté, Bacher, Mata and Maitland-Niles. The midfield will be composed of Bidstrup, Tessmann, Tolisso, Merah, Morton and Nartey. In attack, Nuamah, Šulc, Fofana, Openda and Boudache will be the offensive options.
What is the impact on Lyon's preparation?
OL is preparing for this match after a friendly defeat against the Turkish club Fenerbahçe. Fonseca's choices seem aimed at finding new dynamism. The non-selection of youngsters Himbert, De Carvalho and Hamdani fits this logic. These three players will join the reserve team, engaged in National 2 this weekend, to gain playing time.
This squad management maintains internal competition while developing academy talents. The busy Ligue 1 schedule, which you can check on our fixtures page, requires rotation and squad depth. The decisions made this Friday are a clear illustration.
What is the current situation for Le Havre AC?
For Le Havre AC, this match in Lyon represents an opportunity to score their first points of the season. The team, which suffered a defeat on the first matchday, will look to correct course against an opponent also in reconstruction. The current standings, visible on our standings page, show there is significant room for improvement.
The Havre defense will need to be vigilant against a reshuffled but still dangerous Lyon squad. The absence of some usual OL starters could play in favor of the visitors, who must take any opportunity. The match against Troyes in three months already looks like an important duel in the fight to avoid relegation.
This weekend's fixture therefore shapes up as a test for both teams. Lyon wants to restart its season in front of its home fans, while Le Havre AC seeks a first positive away performance. Fonseca's choices will be scrutinized, as will the reaction of the excluded players.
