FC Lorient. Return of the defense at 5 and executives against Marseille?
After the 4-3-3 (or 4-1-4-1), return to the defense at five? In difficulty defensively for a few weeks (FCL has conceded 16 goals in its last six matches, including five in Paris and Rennes), Christophe Pelissier, the coach of Les Merlus, could be tempted to densify his defensive line with three suffered against Olympique de Marseille, the dolphin of Paris SG eliminated Thursday evening in the semi-final of the Europa League Conference against Feyenoord (2-3, 0-0).
Morel and Lemoine rather than Pétrot and Innocent?
Change of system, and change of men? Opposite difficult in Reims, last Sunday, Léo Pétrot, could give way to the experienced Jérémy Morel (38 years old), who turned back the lawn a few minutes against the Champenois. The former Marseillais formed a trio with Julien Laporte and Houboulang Mendes.
In the middle, Christophe Pelissier could rely on his captain Fabien Lemoine, who has been more active since October 31 in Strasbourg (0-4), whose importance in this kind of high-stakes match is known, and his ability to manage the tempo. of the game in front of the defence. The former Rennais says he is in any case ready to start for several weeks now. Bonke Innocent, less influential for a few weeks now, could bear the brunt of the captain’s return.
Sixteenth in Ligue 1 with 34 points, one unit ahead of Clermont (17th) and three over Saint-Etienne (18th), FCL remains in control of its destiny three days from the end. After Marseille, Sunday (5:05 p.m.), the meetings in Bordeaux (19th) and at home against Troyes (14th) are crucial from the perspective of maintenance.