Villeneuve-d'Ascq (AFP)
Christophe Galtier, the coach of Lille, has chosen an unexpected composition Wednesday for the reception of Valencia during the third day of the Champions League, according to the match sheet.
The northerner technician, who admitted that his team had scored too many goals in recent times, has lined up three central defenders, the Portuguese José Fonte and Tiago Djalo, as well as the Brazilian Gabriel.
The Losc could thus evolve in a new system, in 3-4-1-2, with the Turkish Yusuf Yazici in playmaker behind the Brazilian Luiz Araujo and the Nigerian Victor Osimhen.
But Gabriel can also play the post of defensive midfielder, which would then evolve Lille in 4-4-2. Uncertainty therefore hangs over the organization and animation offered by Losc.
Valencia will offer him a 4-4-2 rather usual, but with some surprises on the players chosen by coach Albert Celades.
The Frenchman Mouctar Diakhaby was thus titularized in central defense in place of the Argentine Ezequiel Garay, and another Tricolore, Francis Coquelin, was preferred to the Spaniard Carlos Soler in the middle.
In peak, the French Kevin Gameiro will be associated with the Argentine Maxi Gomez.
The teams:
Lille: Maignan - Djalo, Cast iron, Gabriel - Celik, Soumaré, Andre, Bradaric - Yacizi - Osimhen, Araujo
Valencia: Cillessen - Wass, Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby, Costa - Coquelin, Parejo, Kondogbia, Cheryshev - Gameiro, Maxi Gómez.
© 2019 AFP