Ahead of Olympique Lyonnais’ upcoming encounter with Paris Saint-Germain at Groupama Stadium on Sunday evening, head coach Paulo Fonseca has raised concerns regarding Alexandre Lacazette’s fitness. The experienced forward, who came off the bench in OL’s dominant 4-1 victory over Montpellier, remains uncertain for the high-profile fixture.
Despite his limited time on the pitch in that match, Lacazette managed to make his mark by scoring Lyon’s fourth goal, showcasing his ability to influence games even in a reduced role. However, Fonseca has now hinted that the 33-year-old striker’s lack of starts since his arrival could be attributed to ongoing physical issues.
Shared Responsibilities in Attack
Following the summer arrival of Georges Mikautadze, Lacazette has found himself rotating more often than usual at his boyhood club. The former France international has started only one of Lyon’s three matches since Fonseca took charge, a significant shift from his usual role as the team’s focal point in attack.
The Lyon boss’ latest comments suggest that Lacazette’s reduced game time might not solely be due to tactical decisions but also to fitness concerns that have persisted in recent weeks.
Fonseca: ‘He Needs Time’
Speaking about the striker’s condition, Fonseca admitted that Lacazette is still struggling to regain full fitness. “He is not at 100%. He is training and making an effort, but he is still experiencing pain,” the coach explained.
Despite the setback, the Portuguese manager acknowledged Lacazette’s unique strengths in the final third. “There are very few players with his quality in the last 30 meters and his instinct in front of goal,” Fonseca added, underlining the striker’s importance to the squad. Whether he will be fit enough to feature against PSG remains to be seen.
