Claude Puel gave an update on the consequences of the coronavirus on its workforce on Friday. The ASSE coach has confirmed two new positive cases in his squad, bringing the number absent for Sunday night’s derby against Lyon to seven.
Cured of the coronavirus and tested negative, Claude Puel will be able to take his place on the Stéphanois bench during the derby scheduled for Sunday (9 p.m.) against Lyon. In terms of bad news, the ASSE coach will still have to deal with a group that has been greatly reduced by the Covid-19. Facing the press on Friday, the technician confirmed the appearance of several new cases in his workforce.
“It’s getting better but I’m not in good shape. I was tested negative again,” said Claude Puel quoted by Le Progrès. There are two new positives and one negative player. Seven positive players will be unavailable. “
Puel: “Don’t let go”
Claude Puel will recover several players absent last weekend during the defeat in Strasbourg (1-0) but their form will remain very uncertain after such a break. Despite seven members of the squad withdrawn due to the coronavirus, the shock against OL will be maintained. Unless three new cases are declared among the players appearing on the list of 30 names provided to the LFP. Claude Puel intends to do everything to take points in this derby.
“We are planning on this derby, we prepared this week from the first meeting with the” valid “players, said the coach of the Greens. I like to see my group respond present under these conditions: not to let go, be enterprising. “
Sixteenth in the standings with just four lengths ahead of the red zone, Saint-Etienne needs points and the derby could provide a chance for their first success since mid-December.
For OL, the derby is also a major issue. For Rudi Garcia and his family, we want to win and get closer to the head of Ligue 1. Even if it means taking advantage of the critical health situation of Stéphanois.