Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca plans to field a significantly younger squad in an upcoming match, strategically leveraging the club’s touted youth development while managing player fatigue from a demanding schedule.
The decision allows established players like Fofana and Tolisso to rest. This rotation follows a physically challenging goalless draw against Brest, where Lyon played most of the match with ten men.
Fonseca emphasized the opportunity for his burgeoning talent. “It’s an opportunity for young players, some are playing for the first time at this level,” the Portuguese coach said.
The club, known for one of the world’s leading youth development programs, is expected to start teenagers Enzo Molebe, 18, and Khalis Merah, 18. Winger Afonso Moreira, a former Sporting Lisbon player, is also slated to feature, having scored four goals in his last five appearances.
Fonseca expressed confidence in his selections. “I chose the team I consider the best, taking into account the tight schedule,” he stated. “When I use young players, they respond, and that’s why I trust them.”
Lyon has accumulated nine points in Ligue 1, providing a degree of flexibility for squad rotation. The match will take place at La Cartuja stadium in Spain.
At a pre-match press conference, a Spanish journalist questioned Fonseca about Endrick, the Brazilian Real Madrid winger. Endrick has been linked with a potential January move to Lyon. Fonseca’s press officer intervened, preventing the coach from answering the transfer speculation.