Olympique Lyonnais (OL) is about to start its pre-season with a friendly match against Villefranche, a national team. However, the Lyon team will not be able to count on its full staff for this first summer test. Several key players, including LucasPerri, MathieuPatouille and GeorgesMikautadzene, are missing from the list of selected players. These absences are due to minor physical problems experienced by these players within two weeks of the resumption of training, including joint pain for the front centre. In addition, both OL goaltenders are also unavailable, which encourages the technical staff to take no risk for this opening meeting. The team planned five more friendly games before resuming the championship on August 16, with a first challenge to come Wednesday against the RWDM Brussels.
The situation in the OL goaltender position is currently complex, with seven professionals under contract and an undefined hierarchy. The injuries of LucasPerri and MathieuPatouille explain the absence of leading goaltenders for the game against Villefranche. This situation could give Justin Benguia the opportunity to save playing time, but the team’s third goaltender for the second part of the 2025-2026 season, LassineDiarra, will probably be aligned. Information indicates that Diarra is about to join RWDM Brussels on loan, after a previous transfer to Serbia. This decision suggests that the 20-year-old, despite his current contract until 2028, could seek to flourish elsewhere than at Olympique Lyonnais.
OL are expected to receive their Eagle Football “cousin” next Wednesday for their second friendly match of the summer season. This meeting could offer an initial assessment of the team and its young talents. The absence of some key players underscores the importance of pre-season to enable the coach to build a strong and competitive team. The next friendly games will be crucial to refine the strategy and identify players who can make a significant contribution at the start of the championship. The situation of LassineDiarra also illustrates OL’s policy of lending and developing young players.