In the run-up to the Europa League quarter-final return, where Olympique Lyonnais will visit Manchester United this Thursday evening, attention is focused on the likely composition of the Lyon team. The Portuguese technician, Paulo Fonseca, could opt for a bold strategy by titularizing the Ivorian midfielder Paul Akouokou, despite his limited playing time during the game-go. This decision, relayed by RMC Sport, would mark a reversal from the previous caution and would reflect the confidence given to Akouokou, who had delivered an encouraging performance despite a bounty outing at the meeting in Décines.

If this option were to materialize, it would involve a reorganization of the midfield, potentially relegating Nemanja Matic and Tanner Tessmann to the bench. This configuration could also result in a team composition that is broadly similar to that of the all-round game, including a central hinge made up of Clinton Mata and Moussa Niakhaté, and the laterals Nicolas Tagliafico and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the latter returning to the English lands. Corentin Tolisso could then be positioned higher on the ground, playing a role in support of the attack.

The alignment of a team similar to that of the go game would highlight Paulo Fonseca’s satisfaction with the performance of his players. The Lyon attack could thus be organized around Thiago Almada, Rayan Cherki and Georges Mikautadze. It should be noted that this information remains provisional and will only be confirmed as the start of this crucial European meeting approaches.