Europa League, Prague vs Lyon – Rest and test

By: Megame | November 22nd, 2012

Sparta-Prague-Lyon

For OL’s new geography, Prague is right between Lyon and Toulouse
Prague standing between the Gauls capital and the pink city? Indeed, for Garde’s men Prague is just something to cruise by before arriving to what truly constitutes the summit of this week: the Toulouse league game.

Surprised? Well be not, for 3 reasons.

First, Lyon is already qualified for the next stage, the knockout stages. The only thing at stake now, bar reputation and pride, is the first spot, that will allow to avoid the big guns in the draw for this next round. But in order to remain at the top spot of the group, Garde’s men only need one point. One draw, and we’ll be topping the group. Largely doable, on the basis of the club’s recent performances.

Second, at least as important as a good run in Europa League, is Aulas’s target of a top 3 spot at the end of the championship, so that the club can get a Champions League spot again, go back to where it belongs and see the Champions League monies return where they belong, i.e. OL’s pocket. So, in the incredibly tight race that this season’s offers at the top, we should take the most of the current run of form and try to make ground compared to our direct challengers before the winter break, when OL traditionnally looses its edge, and this year, should loose 2 players if Aulas is to be believed, possibly our top striker Bafe Gomis. So making ground compared to our direct challenger Toulouse is a must.

And third, TFC is the bane of OL since les Lyonnais have not won at the Toulouse Stadium since November 2005! During its last six trips to the Pink City, the club lost four times, drew twice and scored no goal! So, is this a lost battle? Not necessarily, as the new leader of the Ligue 1 is it better equipped this season to start winning again in Toulouse who have lost four straight games in all competitions.

As a consequence, the name of the game tonight is indeed rest and test. Rest the most used players, Gomis, Malbranque, etc..; and test the ones who you think could grow into something really interesting with more playing time.
That’s why Garde made interesting choices, fielding a revised and rejuvenated team on the Sparta Prague pitch . He composed an offensive trident with OL youngsters Ferri, Ghezzal and Benzia. Behind them, Gourcuff is paired with Grenier -yes, at the same time on the pitch, that is! – and Monzon will start in the back line.

Therefore, Malbranque, Lacazette and Gomis have been allowed to stay in Lyon. Present in Prague, Lisandro is actually not on the scoresheet, and is also spared.

The OL starting eleven:
Vercoute – Monzon, Umtiti, Koné, Réveillère – Fofana, Grenier, Gourcuff – Ghezzal, Benzia, Ferri.

Some Related Lyon Posts:

Category: Team News and Rumors

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John

Bakary Kone is a disaster. Seems to me they are trying to move Gourcuff and Reveillere-good luck with the latter. I think it will be Gomis- unfortunately- and Lovren who will have takers. Too bad Bastos is broken down and we're going to loose an important member of the team bec of that.
pierrot

geeze john, talk about buzz-kill! bunch of OL kids play a tough match away to sparta, play very well, could have won it, surrender 2 points on one bad defensive lapse, team still topping europa league group, and all we get is gloom and doom!

yes, there some tough times ahead shipping another couple of first team players, but a lot of people were saying the sky was falling during the summer fire sale, and where are we now? top of L1 table, and top of europa group - not bad. and this with both bastos and gourcuff out for most of the young season. i think cautious optimism is warranted at this point -- whatever happens in january, i think this team can still go far in the europa league, and stay on the L1 podium. also think jma is pretty pleased at this point, and is thinking vercoutre's doing just fine in lloris' place, and the cheap signings and the kids are an improvement on everyone else he shipped out over the summer.