Amine Gouiri made his return to training, is that an extra weapon for the trip to Lyon?
Amine has been back in collective training, as agreed in the protocol. We've still got one more session to see what he'll be like for the match in Lyon. Warmed Omari will be suspended, while Arthur Theate is back. Azor Matusiwa has qualified for Friday's match.
Azor Matusiwa, a recruit you've been looking forward to...
There was a major need in this area of the game, made all the stronger by Fabian Rieder's injury. It won't be a bad thing to have three options for the coming weeks, in two positions. The succession of matches means we're going to need some fresh legs. Azor trained very little at the end of last week, so we're keeping a close eye on his workload.
How are you preparing for the busy month of February (7 or 8 games to be played)?
What was important beforehand was to have a very good month of competition since the start of the season, to prepare for February but also for the end of the season. When you play so many games in such a short space of time, the priority is to recover both physically and mentally. There's hardly any tactical work, it's mainly video. On the eve of a match, you might have ten minutes to come up with one or two ideas, but at very low intensity. Most of the work had to be done beforehand with the full training sessions we had.
Whether it was against Nice or Marseille, we saw players who wanted to create danger and chances, and who wanted to defend well together. In the last two games, we've only conceded two shots on target each time. When you have these defensive statistics, it means that everyone is working well.
Your players have regained their confidence and are getting results. What do you think of their recent performances?
It's a testament to the quality of the players' work, their commitment, their professionalism, what they put into the games and their desire to put things into practice every day. Whether it was against Nice or Marseille, we saw players who wanted to create danger and goal-scoring opportunities, and who wanted to defend well together. In the last two games, we've only conceded two shots on target each time. When you have these defensive statistics, it means that everyone is working well. The victories are quite logical in terms of production.
Lyon are also back in form. This could make for an open game on Friday...
It's going to be difficult. They have some top quality players and have strengthened their squad during the summer, with some of them likely to play on Friday. We don't really know how they're going to play. What we do know is that there will be quality on the pitch. Their current form is much better than it was two and a half months ago when they came to Roazhon Park for their first win of the season. They've regained their defensive stability, they're conceding fewer goals and scoring more.
How do you judge Enzo Le Fée's progress?
He's a player who can do almost everything on the pitch, take the ball, distribute the play, position himself well and project himself. He knows how to recover the ball and compensate tactically, and he has a good volume of play. In my opinion, he's a complete player who needs to be in front of the game. His pace and technical ability are formidable. His current performances, like those of other players, mean that he is considered an important player. It's important that they continue and that the level remains the same. But it's difficult to single out a player these days, because the team has progressed and he's gained confidence. The players want to share things. The stronger the team, the more individuality will shine through.
Matchday 19 - Ligue 1 Uber Eats
Olympique Lyonnais v Stade Rennais F.C.
Friday 26 January 2024 - 21:00 CET
Groupama Stadium
