Four absent for Lille in Paris, Alexandre uncertain

A defeat (1-2) in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France in Lyon on Wednesday hurt Lille. Not just in mind after elimination in the event the Mastiffs ticked off their ambitions table. With Jonathan David recruited up front and expected to be out for six months, centre-forward Andrej Ilic fractured part of his right fibula while jumping and must undergo surgery on Friday. According to his trainer Paulo Fonseca, his unavailability should be two-and-a-half months.

He won’t be the only absentee at the Parc des Princes this Saturday (9pm) against PSG. Defender Bafodé Diakité is awaiting his appointment with the surgeon, Thursday 15 February, to find out if he can resume normally. Ivan Cavallero is still unavailable for several weeks. After all, Samuel Umtiti still has pain in his knee. Suffice it to say that the blow to the leg by Alexandro on Wednesday weakens LOSC in central defence, where the rough Rafael Fernandes, 21, just arrived from Aroca, can be installed. “I am reasonably optimistic

(for Alexandro) »Fonseca had a temper tantrum this Friday before going on to lead training ahead of the match.

The Portuguese coach also defended his team formation against Lyon, which crushed Clermont (4-0) on Sunday in Villeneuve-d’Esque. “I have no regretsHe explained. If I had to choose today, that’s what I would do. For us, the next match is always the most important. I never thought of going to Paris (before encountering one in Lyon). Perhaps it is appropriate to analyze the content and not just the result. It’s true, we’ve been eliminated, but we’ve done a lot of good things. Lyon probably have the second best team in L1 now. His team is stronger. »

What will be the outcome of this Saturday evening against PSG, with or without Mbappé? “It will be different without him because he is one of the three best players in the world, Benjamin recognizes Andre, the captain. Elimination is a big disappointment. Our ambition was to bring back this trophy. We have to “switch” quickly, refocusing on L1 because we’re in a good position. We also have big ambitions in the championship. What’s more, being played in Paris, a match that will be widely watched. We need to pick up points. »