International break a blessing in disguise for Lyon as Lisandro Lopez recovers
In http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 and most European countries, an international break has been nicknamed the ‘FIFA Virus’. Each time the international calendar approaches, many coaches complain about the departure of their international players.
In many cases, the players come back with a slight niggle or injury which if sustained during a friendly game, can certainly anger the club.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 coach Remi Garde on the other hand, said nothing of that sort throughout the international break.
The French tactician’s stance on this is understandable as the break allowed many Lyon players time to recover from injury and get back to their desired fitness levels. At the start of the month of November, Les Gones’ physios had their hands full owing
to the fact that many of the first-team players were out injured.
The likes of Lisandro Lopez, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michel-Bastos-c25461 and Clement Grenier missed a lot of games in October with Lisandro missing almost all of the games Lyon played so far this season.
However, the international break has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for a much relieved Remi Garde who saw many of his charges report to the treatment table more than they report to the training centre.
28-year-old Lisandro Lopez has been out of action for quite some time and though Bafetimbi Gomis did well to cover for the Argentine, it was clear that Lyon missed their South American hitman.
Le Progress reports that Lisandro Lopez took part in the group session on Monday.
“I am not 100% yet. I do not know if I will play but there are still four days,” said the Argentine while talking to the media after the end of a training session in which the Albiceleste international participated.
Lyon host Stade Rennais this Friday at the Stade de Gerland in the round 14 of the 2011/2012 Ligue 1 Championnat and there are chances that Lopez might be included in the squad.
Since he tore his thigh muscles a few months back, the Argentine has been forced to watch Lyon play from the stands and was much missed during Lyon’s last few games in which the Rhone giants lost to Real Madrid home and away in the UEFA Champions League
group stages.
Michel Bastos has also returned to light training which means that Remi Garde would certainly be looking towards a fully-fit squad by the end of November.
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