FC Lorient is entering a third consecutive season in Ligue 1. 16th last year, Les Merlus changed coaches this summer, Régis Le Bris having replaced Christophe Pélissier. The former director of the training center will try to perpetuate the Breton club in the elite. Overview of the Lorient forces, before the first match in Rennes on August 7 at 5:05 p.m.
The challenge: regain offensive momentum
Under the leadership of the emblematic Christian Gourcuff, Lorient served as a reference in terms of attacking play at the beginning of the century. Since then, this DNA has faded somewhat. The Merlus certainly saved themselves last year, but with the worst attack in Ligue 1 (35 goals). Four descents oblige, the maintenance objective remains relevant, even if “the stake should not make us cautious in the game”assured President Loïc Féry.
Former director of the training center, Le Bris enrolls “in the continuity of the spirit around the identity”as he pointed out to The Team. Intensity, cooperation and adaptation are the leitmotivs of the new Morbihan coach. The friendly matches give a first clue: Christophe Pelissier’s 5-3-2, sometimes considered minimalist, gives way to a more forward-looking 4-4-2.
The player to watch: Enzo Le Fée, the expected hatching
Regular Ligue 1 followers already know him, but Enzo Le Fée has everything to reveal his talent to the general public. Over the past two seasons, this attacking midfielder has played a lot, but has often left a hint of bitterness. “Compared to my ambitions, it’s a very, very insufficient season.”he said last year.
Back at it ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/xAGpZBlXdm
— Enzo The Fairy (@enzolefee_) July 18, 2022
Polished by Le Bris during his training, he has everything to gain from this change of coach. His qualities of transmission – eight assists last year – are part of the style of play promoted by the coach. This one should fix Le Fée, wandered between several roles last year, like “middle which is often quite high”. “I think he will have a blast in this role”continued Régis Le Bris in The Telegram.
The rookie: Yvon Mvogo expected in goal
Paul Nardi and Matthieu Dreyer having failed to win last year, recruiting a goalkeeper was a priority. Recruited at the beginning of July, Yvon Mvogo should take on the role of n°1. The 28-year-old Swiss arrives from Leipzig, but was on loan to PSV for the past two seasons. First holder in Eindhoven, he was relegated to the bench … before recovering his place in the spring of 2022.
Mvogo comes to start, but he has gone through four of his last five seasons in the thankless role of understudy. The Swiss international with four selections has signed for two years and has a certain European experience. In Morbihan, his mission will be to stabilize a porous defense: 16th rearguard of the elite last season. The Swiss will be accompanied in this task by Gédéon Kalulu (Ajaccio) and Darlin Yangwa (Niort), other recruits.
The typical XI:
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