Monaco vs Lyonnais preview - Lacazette out for Lyon

Posted Saturday, January 31, 2015 by PA

Lyon coach Hubert Fournier will be without top scorer Alexandre Lacazette as the Ligue 1 leaders look to crack Monaco's miserly defence at the Stade Louis II on Sunday.

Lacazette, who has scored 21 goals for his side this season, limped off in the first half of his side's 2-0 win over Metz last weekend with a minor hamstring strain.

It is an untimely absence for Lyon as they travel to face a side who have not conceded in their last seven games in all competitions - a run stretching back to a 1-1 cup draw at Lyon before Christmas.

Fournier said: "It is a chance for us to show the sceptics that the team is about more than Alex. His is a very important part but our success also relies very much on the collective."

Despite Monaco's run of six wins from their last seven Ligue 1 games they remain in fifth place nine points off the leaders, which Fournier admits comes as some surprise.

Fournier added: "I think there is something surprising about the fact that Monaco, with all their financial possibilities, are nine points behind. If we can keep that gap it would be something good."

Meanwhile Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim insisted the absence of Lacazette would not do much to boost his side's chances of narrowing the gap on the leaders.

Jardin said: "Lyon have a lot of good players - not just Alexandre Lacazette. It is the third time we have played Lyon this season so we know it will be a difficult match.

"Monaco have progressed, the team is better but we still have to work hard because we have not won anything. The defence is a force collectively and we are working to get the ball so the results are better."