Lyon (AFP)

Lyon have no choice but to rotate: while waiting for the possible recruitment of an attacker in the winter transfer window, the Lyonnais coach Rudi Garcia must juggle the squad available to chain the matches, starting on Saturday at Nantes in 16th in the Coupe de France (8:55 p.m.).

"I work with this group and not with a fictitious or potential group," Garcia said Thursday at a press conference.

The technician has already announced that the defensive midfielder Lucas Tousart, substitute in Bordeaux (2-1), will start against the Canaries.

"He is fine. It was more to blow him away than he did not play against the Girondins. I cut the grass under the feet to those who say he did not play because he would be pending departure, "he said, referring to rumors of an upcoming transfer to Hertha Berlin.

"Lucas is under contract with us. The president spoke on that. So I think we will go until the end of the season with at least this group. If it is improved, so much the better!" , added Rudi Garcia.

- "Too fair" to play everything -

"If we want to play all the competitions thoroughly, I think we will be too fair," however warned the technician.

Lyon remains qualified in the Champions League - with the prospect of a confrontation against Juventus Turin (February 26-March 17) in the round of 16 - and in the two national cups.

After Nantes, OL will host Lille on Tuesday in the Coupe de la Ligue with a stake in the final.

In mid-December, on the evening of a defeat against Rennes (1-0) at home, sports director Juninho had suggested that Olympique Lyonnais would recruit one player per line. This option no longer appears on the agenda. Especially since at this time of the season, it is always difficult to find a rare bird and even more to find three ...

While waiting for the return of the side rears Léo Dubois and Youssouf Koné within a few weeks, Rudi Garcia has recovered in the defensive sector the Brazilian Fernando Marçal, often spared due to his fragility, and attempted a conversion of the striker Maxwel Cornet, replaced at the rear left station.

Despite this, in Bordeaux, it was as an attacker that the latter scored and delivered a decisive pass.

"He gives us a lot of tactical options and it's working well for now," said the Lyon coach, who can count on the right flank, the Dutchman Kenny Tete and the Brazilian Rafael.

In defensive or relaying circles, the young Maxence Caqueret, 19 years old and 5 professional matches, is seizing his chance. In Bordeaux, his foresight allowed his teammates, including Houssem Aouar, Thiago Mendes and Moussa Dembélé, to shine.

- Jean Lucas' time? -

He will however be suspended in Nantes on Saturday, and Garcia could take the opportunity to give his confidence to the young Brazilian Jean Lucas, one of the recruits of the off-season, who at 19 is progressing.

As a professional, he only played 248 minutes in 12 games ... while scoring three goals.

"If he starts on the bench, it will be enough for me to bring him in and it will be said that we have a goal of insurance. This is pretty good," joked Garcia on Thursday about this excellent ratio.

"I think he is ready, like all my players. We still need to structure him tactically. He will have to find his best position. He must use his qualities which carry him forward through his desire and his enthusiasm ", he said, without specifying if he would start alongside Tousart or if the choice would rather be Thiago Mendes.

© 2020 AFP