Lyon travel to Nantes’ Stade de la Beaujoire on Wednesday night for a season-defining Coupe de France semi-final. Given their position in Ligue 1, five places above 14th-placed Nantes, as well as their victory over PSG at the Parc des Princes on Sunday, Les Gones can be considered favourites for the tie.
Should Lyon fail to win the French Cup, they will all but surely miss out on qualifying for a European competition for a third year in a row, which would be a crushing disappointment for the club. Les Gones are trophyless since 2012 when they won the Coupe de France over minnows Quevilly.
Team captain and most potent attacking outlet Alexandre Lacazette (31) is expected to lead the line alongside promising striker Bradley Barcole (20). Former Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren (33) will be at the heart of a 3-man defence with Castello Lukeba (20) and Sinaly Diomandé (21).
Lyon likely lineup against Nantes
Anthony Lopes – Sinaly Diomandé, Dejan Lovren, Castello Lukeba – Saël Kumbedi, Maxence Caqueret, Corentin Tolisso, Nicolas Tagliafico – Rayan Cherki – Bradley Barcola, Alexandre Lacazette
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
