The decision to sack Philippe Montanier and replace him with assistant manager Martinez Novell was perceived as a harsh one at the time, and it is a decision that has not necessarily paid dividends in the first half of the season. Le TéFéCé sit 16th in Ligue 1 and currently occupy the relegation play-off spot, however, they did progress from their UEFA Europa League group. 

However, whilst Damien Comolli said that the first half of the season has fallen “below expectations”, he still retains faith in the inexperienced Spanish manager. Martinez Novell is well-liked internally and the manager himself is therefore not concerned about his position, according to L’Équipe. 

Comolli isn’t concerned either, stating that he believes the club is on a “positive trajectory”.Martinez Novell’s role is therefore unthreatened, despite performances. The Spaniard does, however, face a considerable task in the second half of the season, in leading the club away from relegation trouble. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Camara suffered a thigh injury against Les Gones last week and will therefore miss the trip to face struggling Toulouse. Hütter therefore will have a selection headache on Wedneday night. The Austrian manager is also without Wilfried Singo and Denis Zakaria, both of whom are suspended. Monaco will be short in midfield and in defence for the encounter. The absence of Singo in particular could open the door for either Soungoutou Magassa or Chrislain Matsima. 

Hütter is, however, buoyed by the returns of Vanderson and Aleksandr Golovin. Speaking after the defeat against Lyon, Hütter particularly regretted the absence of the latter, who has been a major source of goals and assists so far this season. 

Monaco likely lineup v Toulouse

Philipp Köhn; Mohammed Salisu, Guillermo Maripán, Chrislain Matsima; Ismail Jakobs, Youssouf Fofana, Soungoutou Magassa, Vanderson; Aleksandr Golovin, Wissam Ben Yedder, Takumi Minamino. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Les Violets finished behind Liverpool in Group E of the Europa League, beating the Premier League side at home in a 3-2 win at the Toulouse FC Stadium. They will face the Portuguese side in February 2024, who finished 3rd in Group D of the Champions League behind Real Sociedad and Inter Milan.

After being promoted from Ligue 2 in 2022/21, the Occitane region side won the Coupe de France  5-1 against Nantes last year at the Stade de France, securing European football for the fifth time in their history.

The knockout round involves the eight runners up from the Europa League group stage against the eight third-placed teams in the Champions League group stage. The winners of these two-legged matches will head to the Europa League round of 16 in March, where they’ll join the eight group winners.

GFFN | George Boxall

Donnum is suspended for the match against Rennes. It had been hoped that Schmidt would feature for Le TéFéCé. After sustaining a minor injury against Olympique Lyonnais last weekend, it had been hoped he’d make the match against Les Rennais, having also missed the midweek match against Linz ASK. 

However, Mikkel Desler, who suffered an eye injury against FC Lorient on 3rd December, will make his return for Carles Martinez Novell’s side. Thijs Dallinga, who went public in voicing his discontent at being dropped, returned to the starting XI against Lyon, and the Netherlands international is expected to start once again on Sunday. 

Toulouse likely lineup v Rennes

Guillaume Restes; Gabriel Suazo, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Logan Costa, Mikkel Desler; César Gelabert, Stijn Spierings, Vincent Sierro; Ibrahim Cissoko, Thijs Dallinga, Frank Magri. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

In Bourigeaud’s absence, Désiré Doué looks set to start for Les Rennais as they travel to face an out-of-form TéFéCé. Rennes aren’t in top form either and have been sporadic since Julien Stéphan returned to take the reins at the club. He looks set to tinker with his side on Sunday. 

Amine Gouiri could start up-front with Arnaud Kalimuendo, who is struggling for form this season, set for the bench. Ludovic Blas, who has played a more peripheral role since Stéphan’s arrival, is also unlikely to start. 

Rennes likely lineup v Toulouse

Steve Mandanda; Adrien Truffert, Jeanuël Belocian, Christopher Wooh, Lorenz Assignon; Baptiste Santamaria; Martin Terrier, Nemanja Matic, Enzo Le Fée, Désiré Doué; Amine Gouiri. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The Netherlands international recently went public with his frustration about being benched by Carles Martinez Novell, however, he returned to the starting XI against Olympique Lyonnais at the weekend. He is once again expected to lead the line against Linz ASK on Thursday night. 

The under-fire Spanish manager is, however, missing two key players for the encounter. Mikkel Desler remains out following an eye injury suffered against FC Lorient, whilst Niklas Schmidt has not sufficiently recovered from Sunday’s defeat against Lyon. Both will be fit to face Stade Rennais on Sunday, however, the match against Linz will come too soon for the pair. Stijn Spierings, who joined on a joker transfer in September, is not registered in Le TéFéCé’s Europa League squad and is therefore ineligible. 

Toulouse likely lineup v Linz 

Guillaume Restes; Gabriel Suazo, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Logan Costa, Warren Kamanzi; Vincent Sierro, Cristian Casseres, César Gelabert; Ibrahim Cissoko, Thijs Dallinga, Aron Donnum. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Restes has been one of the few satisfactions for Toulouse this season, as the club is currently 15th in Ligue 1, only three points ahead of last place Olympique Lyonnais. The 18-year-old has had a meteoric rise since debuting with the club during pre-season, becoming their starter ahead of summer signing Álex Domínguez (25), and even becoming the number one goalkeeper for Thierry Henry’s France u-21 squad as well.

Restes joins Mike Maignan, Daniel Peretz and Alexander Nübel in Bayern’s goalkeeper shortlist

His outstanding performances have therefore caught the eye of the German giants, who are avidly searching for a new goalkeeper to replace Neuer, who is approaching the end of his career. Among other potential successors are Daniel Peretz (23), who arrived at the club last summer, ex-Monaco keeper Alexander Nübel (27), who is on loan at VfB Stuttgart from Bayern, and Mike Maignan (28), who is reportedly also being monitored by Chelsea FC and Manchester United.

No doubt Bayern’s interest will encourage Restes to continue his progression as one of the most promising goalkeepers in the world.

GFFN | Alfred Lalande

Toulouse were the most ball-dominant side in early proceedings as they had the lion’s share of possession but this produced very little in what was a rather timid opening ten minutes of the match. Lyon’s intent appeared to be playing long. The first reasonable chance of the game came from Sierro on a close-range free kick but his shot flew over the crossbar. 

Nuamah had the first shot on target from a Lyon counter-attack but Restes was able to save well at his near post with his feet. Ćaleta-Car had a great opportunity from the following corner but he could only head straight at Restes. In the 25th minute, Lacazette gave OL the lead. Jake O’Brien turned creator this time around, following a good spell in front of goal, as he headed the ball down from a corner for the Lyon captain to poke the ball beyond Restes for his 4th goal of the season.

It wasn’t long before Lacazette doubled his tally and scored Lyon’s second of the evening. Tolisso’s half-volley crashed off the post and directly into the path of the former Arsenal striker to smash home and give Lyon a sacred two-goal first-half lead. Caqueret then tried to press home Les Gones’ advantage with a low effort from distance which just whistled wide.

In the last minute of the first half, Toulouse were awarded a penalty. Lopes rushed out of his goal to close down Suazo who had acres of space to hit his shot and the Chilean was clattered in the process by the Portuguese stopper who failed to claim the ball. However, Lopes soon made amends as he managed to deny Thijs Dallinga from the spot with a firm hand. This was the first penalty save of his career at the Groupama Stadium and it was enough to keep Lyon’s two-goal lead intact at the break. 

Lopes made the first save of the second half with a tame curled effort from Magri. Lacazette had a great chance to register his hat trick after some great link-up with Nuamah, but the Lyon captain couldn’t quite get any pace on his shot on the swivel. Dønnum then quickly had a chance up the other end but a slight deflection from Jake O’Brien was enough to turn the ball behind.

Ćaleta-Car has an opportunity to head goalwards from a free kick but he couldn’t get any conviction on his attempt. Lacazette came close to his third again following another counter but with the angle closing, he couldn’t beat Restes who got a hand to his effort. Caqueret then almost turned the ball home following some good work from Nuamah but his glancing effort looped over the bar. 

Toulouse possibly created the best sequence of play in the match to open up the Lyon defence and send Logan Costa through on goal but the defender was unable to beat the onrushing Lopes. With ten minutes of regulation time, Lacazette had his hat trick. Diawara’s shot was blocked by Niciolaisen and the ball fell to the Lyon captain to covert once again in poacher-like style for his third of the night. 

Following the club’s most impressive performance of the season and a return to form from Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre Sage was able to guide OL to their second win of the season. Lyon secure their first home win of the season. Although, not enough to move Les Gones from the foot of the table, their chances of survival look an awful lot healthier. 

Lyon player ratings: 

Anthony Lopes – 6, The Portuguese stopper was in the limelight for both the right and wrong reasons. On a rather quiet night for Lopes, a rash decision to close down Suazo saw him give away a penalty. However, he made amends instantly by denying Thijs Dallinga from the spot to make his first-ever Ligue 1 penalty save at the Groupama Stadium.

Clinton Mata – 6

Duje Ćaleta-Car – 6

Dejan Lovren – 6

Jake O’Brien – 7, The Irish defender was an influence in both boxes once again as he teed up Lacazette for the first of his three goals and contributed with a solid defensive performance in his third of the pitch. O’Brien continues to impress in a Lyon shirt. 

Nicolás Tagliafico –  6

Maxence Caqueret – 7, The France U21 international was once again the driving force from midfield. Caqueret’s work rate in linking defence from attack and pressing off the ball enabled Lyon to win the midfield battle despite being a man short compared to Toulouse. 

Corentin Tolisso – 6

Ernest Nuamah – 6

Alexandre Lacazette – 9, The Lyon captain looked like the player of last season as he scored a hat-trick for his boyhood club. Lacazette’s predatory attacking instincts appeared to be back. Aside from his goals, the former Arsenal striker’s ability to drop off the front line and exploit the space was integral to Sage’s attacking set-up in launching counters.

Rayan Cherki – 6

GFFN | Liam Wraith

OL seem to obtain the most interest in the 25-year-old with the club ready to make an offer ahead of the January transfer window, Fabrice Hawkins reports. Lyon are now able to spend freely in the January transfer window after DNCG restrictions placed upon the club were removed this week. OL are reportedly plotting several moves for the January window including the ambitious pursuit of West Ham duo Saïd Benrahma and Nayef Aguerd. 

Yusuf Sarı has featured 13 times for Demirspor in the Turkish Super League this season, registering 5 assists. The French-born winger also scored 2 goals in 6 UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying matches. The Turkish international has previously played in France after coming through Marseille’s academy. The OM youth product made 13 senior appearances in French football. He previously spent a spell on loan in Ligue 2 with Clermont. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

Manager Carles Martínez will continue with his habitual 4-2-3-1, though he won’t be able to count on regular starters Aron Dønnum (25) and team captain Vincent Sierro (28), who are both suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Both players should be replaced by a repositioned Franck Magri (24) and summer signing  Cristian Cásseres Jr. (23) respectively, while Rasmus Nicolaisen (26) will receive the captain armband.

The Spanish coach must also do without last season’s top performer Zakaria Aboukhlal (23) who suffered a knee injury early into the season which should see him miss most of this Ligue 1 edition. Thijs Dallinga (23) should regain the starting lineup after scoring the equalising goal after having come off the bench against Lorient.

Toulouse likely lineup v Lyon

Guillaume Restes; Mikkel Desler, Logan Costa, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Gabriel Suazo; Stijn Spieriens, Cristian Cásseres, Niklas Schmidt; Franck Magri, Ibrahim Cissoko, Thijs Dallinga

GFFN | Alfred Lalande