This Friday, a certain excitement reigns at the Groupama Training Center. The presence of many journalists for the press conferences of Anthony Lopes and Rudi Garcia attests: the derby against AS Saint-Etienne is looming on the horizon. On Sunday, Olympique Lyonnais will challenge the Saint-Etienne enemy at Groupama Stadium (match to be followed live with commentary on our live). A meeting in such a special context, of capital importance for both teams. A confrontation not to be lost.
Obviously, this derby will have a special flavor on Sunday in full confinement. But even behind closed doors, OL will obviously aim for victory, just to get even closer to a so coveted podium … And this Sunday, November 8, 2020 could turn out to be special for a Lyon player: Sinaly Diomandé (19 years old). The young central defender, holder against AS Monaco (4-1) and LOSC (1-1), clearly applies for a place in the eleven which will start against Saint-Etienne following the suspension of Marcelo.
Anthony Lopes and Rudi Garcia dub Diomandé
Which would be anything but a surprise for the main protagonist who has already trod the lawns in Ligue 1 six times this season. A meteoric rise that will continue against the Greens on Sunday. Asked at a press conference about the blossoming of his young partner, Anthony Lopes gave him a concert of praise. “Sinaly, 19, three matches in L1, solid. He wants to play and has seized his chance extremely well. It looks like he’s been a starter for years. He has all the benchmarks, he is focused, does a lot of work and he is strong in duels. He has incredible physical abilities, a very complete player who will continue to evolve. I’m very impressed “, thus deciphered the Lyon gatekeeper.
Doubtful by the Rhone locker room, Sinaly Diomandé he collects all the votes in the eyes of his trainer? Usually so cautious when it comes to evoking the services of his young protected, Rudi Garcia left his usual protective speech to evoke the case of Diomandé. Dithyrambic on the young man, the technician of OL took the opportunity to reveal the axes of progression for the latter. “We wanted to develop Sinaly this season. He gained confidence during his match in Lille. Against Monaco he had been good but I found him a little tense after the penalty. He had taken a yellow, and he has to deal with this kind of situation. We made some video to show him certain things. He is perfectible, attentive, generous. The raw material, he has it. And she is impressive. Tactically, we still have to work with him. With Claudio Caçapa, we worked in this direction before the match in Lille ”, says the former coach of OM. Sunday evening, Sinaly Diomandé could well be associated in central hinge with Jason Denayer. And live his first derby at only 19 …