Lille (AFP)

Four days before its entry into the Champions League against the Germans from Wolfsburg, Lille will first try to confirm its recovery in L1 Friday in Lorient (9:00 p.m.) and will count on Yusuf Yazici to orchestrate its offensive animation.

The repositioning of the Turkish playmaker to his favorite position coincided with the improvement of Lille's game, in Saint-Etienne (1-1) first, then against Montpellier (2-1) before the international break.

Scorer against Hérault, he had a full match and contributed to the first success of the champions of France in Ligue 1.

“Yusuf can play in several positions. He worked a lot for the team, he was decisive. I had an interesting discussion with him, he wants to give a lot, he has a lot of energy. he answers present ", had also affirmed his trainer Jocelyn Gourvennec after the meeting.

Placed in front of the defense alongside Benjamin André at the start of the season, a recuperating midfielder that he does not control, Yazici did not have the same performance, even if he was still involved.

- "Good on all three positions" -

"He is versatile. He played lower for the needs of the team, because of the absent, injured or suspended. Obviously he is an offensive player, who is good on all three positions, on the side, behind the 'attacking or even ahead, "said the technician from Lille.

The former Trabzonspor player continued his momentum with the Turkish team as he scored against Montenegro on September 1 (2-2) after being lined up as playmaker, before playing the entire match against Gibraltar (3-0), this time at the top, while Burak Yilmaz was left at rest.

Lorient goalkeeper Paul Nardi facing RC Lens at Bollaert stadium, August 29, 2021 FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP / Archives

Entered into play at the very end of the match during the rout in the Netherlands on Tuesday (6-1), Yazici will have freshness for the trip to Brittany, which will not be the case for all his teammates.

"The real question is how we get our internationals back. We were able to do a session with everyone yesterday (Thursday). The state of freshness is still the same problem for coaches after the breaks international ... ", pointed out Gourvennec.

"In any case, the players want to get back into the championship".

- Manage playing times -

With the injuries of Jonathan Bamba, Timothy Weah and Renato Sanches, the northern offensive animation is cut off from several major players and it will be necessary to manage the playing times while the match at Moustoir will mark the start of a series of seven matches in 24 days for the reigning French champion.

Veteran Yilmaz played for over an hour against the Dutch on Tuesday and is set to start, although the Champions League arrives on Tuesday and remains one of Losc's essential pawns.

The Canadian Jonathan David, scorer Wednesday evening with Canada, will arrive Friday morning in Paris and will meet the group in Morbihan at midday.

"He will join us because we need him," said Gourvennec, who does not rule out making him play for a few minutes.

Lille coach Jocelyn Gourvennec replaces his players during the reception in Montpellier, August 29, 2021 DENIS CHARLET AFP / Archives

The Mastiffs, only 10th in the standings seven lengths behind Paris SG, want to build up confidence in Brittany before challenging Wolfsburg, leader of the Bundesliga.

"We are fully immersed in Ligue 1 and the Lorient match. We can think of the Champions League on Saturday, not before," hammered the northerner coach.

We found the thread, we found a balanced, compact Losc, but we still lack consistency and efficiency. "

© 2021 AFP