FC Lorient – Get French Football News

Rejected by OGC Nice’s fans, Yannick Cahuzac finds a new home

Luke Entwistle — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 17:50:09 +0000

Having been rejected by the OGC Nice ultras ahead of a prospective move to the club in the summer, Yannick Cahuzac has found a new home – FC Lorient.

Cahuzac, who spent the 2022/23 season as Franck Haise’s assistant manager at RC Lens, Cahuzac was chosen to integrate Francesco Farioli’s backroom staff at Nice in the summer. However, there was considerable fan backlash to the move, dating back to a heated match between Nice and Bastia back in 2014, which led to a pitch invasion. The ultras stance on Cahuzac joining did not evolve, and ultimately, sporting director Florent Ghisolfi had to reverse his decision to bring the Frenchman to the Allianz Riviera.

However, as revealed by Ouest-France, he is now set to become an assistant manager to Régis Le Bris at struggling Lorient. Cahuzac will join Les Merlus, who are currently in the Ligue 1 relegation zone, until the end of the season.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The future of Régis Le Bris at Lorient is secure in the short-term

Nicholas Hartland — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 01:31:04 +0000

There were questions surrounding the future of FC Lorient manager, Régis Le Bris, following his team’s 4-0 defeat to their local rivals Stade Brestois.

Le Bris won plaudits last season for the way his side performed in his debut season as a manager. However, this year has been a fundamentally different kettle of fish, the team have struggled to emulate their performances from the year before and sit within the relegation zone.

The defeat to end the first half of the season to Brest was not taken well by all involved with the club. The supporters dumped 400kg of rotting fish outside the club’s training ground as the team coach arrived back from the game, while within the squad the reaction was equally tainted.

L’Équipe reported that there were significant tensions within the dressing room following the match as Le Bris criticised four players for their apparent lack of humility: Benjamin Mendy (29), Jean-Victor Makengo (25), Isaak Touré (20), and Romain Faivre (25).

Le Bris to remain as manager for now

There was an expectation with his tactics being questioned and his relationship with the squad deteriorating that it was no longer viable for Le Bris to continue managing at Les Merlus, especially since the winter break could provide an opportunity for the club to find an alternative option before returning to training.

Despite this L’Équipe, now confirms that Le Bris will continue as manager for Lorient into the new year, with the head coach leading the training sessions on Friday morning, as the break instead allowed calmer heads to prevail.

Le Bris’s future is far from secure, but he has at least for the moment been provided more time to turn the fortunes of the club around. In practical terms, this means that the manager, like in the summer, will have a significant say in the transfer market as Lorient prepare for a crucial second half of the season; which could in turn create an interesting dilemma if results do not pick up when the fixtures return.

GFFN | Nick Hartland

PROFILE | Irreplaceable Laurent Abergel is Lorient’s Mr Consistent

Luke Entwistle — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 22:30:00 +0000

The last 18 months has seen Lorient’s midfield ball-winner and motor, Laurent Abergel, emerge as one of France’s leading exponents of his role as surprise package, FCL challenged for a European place for much of last season. In truth, however, Abergel’s quality is nothing new to Ligue 1 observers and he again is one of the more worthy but less famous names populating this year’s GFFN 100.

Now pushing 31, Abergel’s rise to Ligue 1 took longer than it should have. The Frenchman’s top-flight debut arrived as long ago as the 2013/14 campaign for Marseille, where the locally-born midfielder had emerged from the youth ranks. That two-minute cameo against Valenciennes nearly a decade ago was Abergel’s only top-flight action until 20/21, following Lorient’s promotion after the shortened covid-affected season.

Abergel had been forced down into Ligue 2 to make his way in the French game. Firstly with Ajaccio and then Nancy where he would become captain and often carry the struggling second-tier side who were flirting with relegation despite playing Ligue 1 football as recently as 2017. Being used all over the pitch at Nancy, Abergel stood out in both his tireless defensive work and playmaking from deep. Having struggled via 6th and 7th placed finishes since their relegation, Lorient snapped up one of the second tier’s standout players in 2019, winning the division in Abergel’s first season.

Abergel shines out of possession

Having dominated Nancy games both in and out of possession, in Ligue 1 Abergel is a primarily scrappy hustler of a midfielder, covering significant ground in front of his defence to halt attacks and recycle the ball efficiently. While his team’s form has fluctuated over the last four seasons, Abergel’s hasn’t; always proving a committed, energetic and effective presence whether Les Merlus are keeping up with PSG at the top or suffering through a long winless streak.

Like many defensive midfielders who apply their low-key but crucial work to games, Abergel’s recent performances are best underlined by his impressive stats which see the Lorient man make his case to be France’s best all-round tackler. At the time of writing, Abergel ranks first in France for interceptions this season as well as second for total tackles, seventh for tackles won and fifth for dribblers tackled, according to FBRef. In the last four seasons, he’s made the top three in Europe’s ‘Big 5’ leagues on seven occasions across those categories too, with the 20/21 campaign a standout year.

At this level, Abergel isn’t the stellar all-rounder he was in Ligue 2 with Nancy but his supreme effectiveness in his specific but crucial role has, at last, come to the fore in 2023.

GFFN | Adam White

‘Truly rotten, like you’ – Lorient ultras pour 400 kilograms of rotten fish at team’s training ground after 4-0 humbling to rivals Brest

Bastien Cheval — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 21:29:16 +0000

FC Lorient’s season of woes has reached a new low on Wednesday night. After a convincing first season at the head of Les Merlus, Regis Le Bris is badly struggling with Lorient currently sitting in the relegation zone for Ligue 1’s winter break. The Brittany side have lost nine games out of a possible 17.

The latest was an abysmal performance at on-fire Brittany rivals Stade Brestois. Eric Roy’s well-drilled team were already leading 4-0 at half-time courtesy of an extraordinary 4-goal haul in 26 minutes by Malian international Kamory Doumbia (20). Former Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy was replaced after the hour mark for Lorient.

‘Get as far away from our club as possible!’

After leaving Brest’s Stade Francis Le Blé, the Lorient team coach was “welcomed” to their training ground at Kerlir by the stench of 400 kilograms (881 pounds) of rotten fish poured by the Merlus Ultras 1995, the club’s most ardent fan group.

Merlus Ultras has released this statement. “Following the latest disgraceful (we’re being nice) defeat of our team, action will be taken at Kerlir after the game. 400 kilograms of fish will be poured at the gate with a message that reads ‘Truly rotten, like you‘. May the people who are not bothered, and who do not respect the FC Lorient institution, ‘Get as far away from our club as possible!’

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Brest’s Kamory Doumbia equals former PSG player Edinson Cavani’s record

Alfred Lalande — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 21:34:13 +0000

Tonight, Stade Brestois’ Kamory Doumbia (20) became the second-only player in the past 60 years to score four goals in the first half of a Ligue 1 game. He equalled Edinson Cavani’s (36) performance, who had put four past SM Caen’s defence in 2016, during his time at PSG.

Doumbia proved to be a nightmare for FC Lorient’s defence, always lurking to conclude his team’s offensive plays. His first goal at the 22nd minute was particularly sublime, firing home a rocket of a right-footed volley from the edge of the box, straight into the top corner of Yvon Mvogo’s (29) nets. Then came three others, at the 25th, 29th and 48th minute, concluding a historic first-half quadruple for the young Malian, on loan from Stade de Reims.

Doumbia scores four goals in 26 minutes

In only 26 minutes, Doumbia almost equalled his total goal tally in Ligue 1, having scored five goals in 45 games before tonight. His alone performance could potentially have sealed his ticket to participate in this year’s AFCON with Mali, having received his first call-up with his nation back in September of 2022.

GFFN | Alfred Lalande

Lorient predicted XI v Strasbourg: Tiémoué Bakayoko remains sidelined with thigh injury

Luke Entwistle — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 06:32:55 +0000

FC Lorient’s Tiémoué Bakayoko remains absent with the thigh injury that ruled him out of the 4-2 defeat against Olympique de Marseille last weekend.

Bakayoko, as well as Gedeon Kalulu will both miss Sunday’s match against RC Strasbourg Alsace. Both players will also be doubts to face Lille OSC on Wednesday. Régis Le Bris will be looking to arrest the slide at Lorient. Following Olympique Lyonnais’ victory over AS Monaco, Les Merlus dropped into the relegation zone, and they will need to now fight to break out of it.

Le Bris is not expected to bring in wholesale changes against Strasbourg. Benjamin Mendy is expected to start once again, whilst Junior Eli Kroupi is expected to have to settle for a place on the bench.

Lorient likely lineup v Strasbourg

Yvon Mvogo; Benjamin Mendy, Isaak Touré, Montassar Talbi, Formose Mendy; Julien Ponceau, Bonke Innocent, Laurent Abergel, Romain Faivre; Bamba Dieng, Tosin Aiyegun. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Strasbourg predicted XI v Lorient: Ângelo Gabriel to start, Ismaël Doukouré and Gerzino Nyamsi out injured

Luke Entwistle — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 06:19:23 +0000

RC Strasbourg Alsace will be without Ismaël Doukouré and Gerzino Nyamsi as they prepare to travel to face FC Lorient on Sunday.

The pair were also absent from the 2-1 victory against Le Havre AC last weekend. Doukouré suffered a sprain to his right ankle during the match against Stade Brestois and will not only be absent against Lorient but also against Lille OSC in midweek too. However, there are no fresh injury concerns for Patrick Vieira, who after getting his first victory since 24th September against Le Havre last weekend, will be looking to make it back-to-back wins against fellow strugglers Lorient.

Ângelo Gabriel, who has seen his role in this Strasbourg side reduced in recent weeks, is set to start on the right, with Emanuel Emegha to start up front.

Strasbourg likely lineup v Lorient

Matz Sels; Thomas Delaine, Abakar Sylla, Lucas Perrin, Frédéric Guilbert; Junior Mwanga, Ibrahima Sissoko; Habib Diarra, Kevin Gameiro, Ângelo Gabriel; Emanuel Emegha. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Lorient president Loïc Féry says club looking to keep Eli Junior Kroupi ‘for as long as possible’

Luke Entwistle — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 15:27:28 +0000

Eli Junior Kroupi (17) has been one of the breakout stars of the Ligue 1 season, and whilst he continues to impress, FC Lorient are hoping to keep hold of the promising young forward for as long as possible.

The France U19 international has four goals in 14 appearances for Les Merlus so far this season, as well as two assists. Kroupi is managing to stand out in a Lorient side that is collectively struggling. The club currently sit 16th in Ligue 1, and they therefore currently occupy the relegation play-off spot. They are just one point ahead of Clermont Foot, who sit in the relegation zone.

Kroupi recently extended until 2026

Lorient’s end-of-season position could determine whether they keep players such as Kroupi, who will naturally garner interest should the Breton club make the drop to Ligue 2. Speaking ahead of Lorient’s 4-2 defeat to Olympique de Marseille on Sunday, the club’s president, Loïc Féry, has said that he is looking to keep Kroupi at the club for the foreseeable future.

“He is completely involved in the Lorient project. He is someone who won’t immediately move on. We need stability […] he is overperforming relative to what we expected of him this year. The idea is to accompany him in his progression and provide an environment in which he can play a lot. He is a child of the club and we will try to keep him for as long as possible,” Féry told Prime Video Sport.

Kroupi only extended his contract as recently as the start of July. The promising young winger’s deal runs until the summer of 2026.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Benjamin Mendy scores first goal since returning to football

Alfred Lalande — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 23:18:35 +0000

Tonight, FC Lorient faced Olympique de Marseille in a bout which ended in favour of Les Phocéens, who won the game 2-4. It was a memorable night for Benjamin Mendy (29), who scored his first goal since returning to football.

The 29-year-old’s contract had been suspended by Manchester City following his arrest in August of 2021, having later on been found not guilty of one count of rape and another of attempted rape, previously being cleared of six charges of rape and one of sexual assault back in January. He joined Lorient last summer following the end of his contract with the Mancunians.

Mendy playing higher under Régis Le Bris

The Frenchman was aligned in Régis Le Bris’ starting XI for the first time this season, playing in an abnormal position, as he started as a left winger rather than his usual left back spot. A successful readjustment from the manager, as 52 minutes into the game, a Bamba Dieng (23) shot, deflected by Pau Lopez (28), saw a well-positioned Mendy fire the ball into the open net, though his goal remained anecdotic in the grand scheme of things.

It was only his third goal ever in Ligue 1, having scored two during his time at OM, and a couple more in the Coupe de France, one of which was for Monaco. He’ll be looking to build on that solid performance, bringing some of his experience to the Lorientais.

GFFN | Alfred Lalande

Lorient predicted XI v Marseille: Bamba Dieng set to start against former side, Tiémoué Bakayoko out

Luke Entwistle — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 09:29:20 +0000

Bamba Dieng (23) is set to start against his former club when FC Lorient face Olympique de Marseille on Sunday night.

Dieng’s move to Les Merlus is yet to prove a success. The Senegalese international has missed three months of the current season with an adductor injury and he has just one Ligue 1 goal to his name, which came last weekend against Toulouse FC. He has something to prove, not only to his former club, but also to Lorient’s own supporters, and the Senegal national team manager Aliou Cissé, ahead of AFCON early in 2024.

Whilst Dieng looks set to start, Tiémoué Bakayoko will miss out on the encounter altogether. The former Chelsea and AS Monaco midfielder suffered a thigh injury and will therefore not make the bench for the encounter.

Lorient likely lineup v Marseille

Yvon Mvogo; Vincent Le Goff, Montassar Talbi, Julien Laporte, Gedeon Kalulu; Bonke Innocent, Laurent Abergel; Benjamin Mendy, Julien Ponceau, Romain Favire; Bamba Dieng. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle