On Thursday, Olympique Lyonnais came to the European stage for a decisive match, competing for the Europa League semifinals against Manchester United. Following a draw in the all-round game, OL players will have to win in Old Trafford to hope to enter the next stage of the competition. The technician Paulo Fonseca opted for continuity in the device, aligning a composition similar to that which made it possible to obtain this precious draw at Décines.

A particularly notable element of this strategy is the tenure of Paulo Akouokou, a midfielder who reborn under the new Fonseca regime after a difficult period under the previous coach. The Ivorian will be associated with Jordan Veretout in the game, forming a crucial double pivot for the balance of the team. The leading attacker will be incarnated by Georges Mikautadze, privileged over Alexandre Lacazette, testifying to the confidence of the Lyon coach in the form of the young scorer.

The composition of Olympique Lyonnais, confirmed by several sources, aligns Perri in the goals, Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhaté and Tagliafico in defense, Veretout and Akouokou in the middle of the field, Cherki, Tolisso and Almada on the sides, and Mikautadze in attack. This is a testament to Fonseca’s willingness to capitalize on collective forces and the positive dynamics observed during the game going, in the hope of achieving a crucial victory against the Red Devils.