Lyon (AFP)

Brooded by the sports director Juninho, the Brazilians flourish in Lyon, such Lucas Paqueta and Thiago Mendes who make their hole in the middle.

But the competition is tough, especially for Bruno Guimaraes, before facing Angers on Sunday for the 11th day of Ligue 1 (5:00 p.m.).

"Competition is good for everyone and everyone is obliged to give the best of themselves in training and in matches. This prevents the players from falling asleep," said Lyon coach Rudi Garcia.

"It is difficult to be in top form throughout the season. It is all the interest to have several good players in the same sector of play. But when some are a little less in shape, for various reasons, an injury, a Covid-19 break, a period of adaptation, it is also necessary not to have a short memory to remember what good players they are, "continues the technician.

Garcia refers to Guimaraes: sparkling against Juventus Turin on February 26 in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (1-0), a month after his arrival in Lyon, he is now struggling to the point of 'struggling to figure in the base eleven of OL.

- Guimaraes in difficulty -

“Lately Bruno, who just celebrated his first selection, has been a little less well. There has been a combination of circumstances for him. He was not 100% while others have emerged and brought something else, "he said, citing" the return of Thiago Mendes who (us) offers different qualities just like the arrival of Paqueta ".

"But it is sinusoidal for each other, and all the players are important in the group, different and complementary", tempers the technician.

He does not forget to quote Jean Lucas, recruit for summer 2019 from Flamengo, "for whom it is a little more difficult" for a while.

"As some departures in the midfield sector could not materialize while Paqueta was recruited, the competition became even tougher for him," admits the coach.

But to decide the holders in Angers, Rudi Garcia must also take into account the return of selections of his internationals.

Paqueta and Guimaraes, returning from a successful rally with the Brazilian selection against Venezuela (1-0) and Uruguay (2-0), are among them.

- Optimistic Garcia -

Garcia is optimistic about their ability to recover but gave no indication of his intentions Friday at a press conference.

Against Saint-Etienne, on November 8, Guimaraes' performance was disappointing during a catastrophic first period for OL.

Choice of Juninho in January, the former player of Athletico Paranaense considers "as a father" the Lyon sports director and former glory of OL.

But this privileged relationship did not prevent him from being replaced on the hour mark in the derby as the entries of Thiago Mendes and Paqueta helped reverse the result in favor of Lyon, led 1-0 before winning 2 -1.

Mendes, recruited in the summer of 2019 and non-existent last season, finally regains the qualities of recovery and recovery that had pushed OL to recruit him from Lille.

Likewise, Lucas Paqueta, losing ground at AC Milan, seems to have the technical capacity to become the new playing master in Lyon.

Here too, Houssem Aouar may have reasons to be concerned.

Sunday in Angers, the latter, just recovered from an adductor injury which forced him to leave against Saint-Etienne, could be replaced by Maxence Caqueret.

Garcia's inconclusive starting lineup in the derby, rectified during the match, at least had the merit of reviving the competition.

With winners and losers among the Brazilians of OL.

© 2020 AFP