Anthony Lopes and Lucas Paqueta out for Lyon v West Ham
Lyon will be without key players Anthony Lopes and Lucas Paqueta for tonight’s Europa League quarter-final second-leg against West Ham.
Both players started last week’s first leg, which ended 1-1 at the London Stadium, but picked up injuries in Ligue 1 at the weekend and haven’t recovered in time for the return fixture.
Lopes is a particularly major absence as the French side’s first-choice goalkeeper meaning Julian Pollersbeck will likely deputise in his place having played just two games in as many years.
Lyon announced their squad via their Twitter account and midfield maestro Paqueta’s name not on the list will have warmed Hammers hearts too.
No reason was given for Paqeuta’s absence but Moussa Dembele, who got Aaron Cresswell sent off at the London Stadium is present.
There had been doubts over Tanguy Ndombele, who scored the equaliser last week, and Houssem Aouar but both have been included in Peter Bosz’s squad for the big game this evening.
Advantage West Ham
In a game so closely fought, this news swings the pendulum ever so slightly the way of David Moyes’ Irons despite their own injury concerns.
They will be without dominant defender Kurt Zouma for the game and perhaps even the season after he limped off against Brentford on Sunday.
But he has an adequate replacement in Issa Diop whereas Lopes and Paqueta are being replaced by far less experienced and talented individuals.
Moyes will have to instruct his players to get shots away early to test Pollersbeck, assuming he is the one Bosz trusts in, and see if he can cope with his first game for a long time.
It’s a huge night for both clubs and a lot rests on the shoulders of the players so let’s see who will keep their head above water and pull their side to victory.
In other West Ham news, Lyon have been forced to take drastic action on some Hammers fans for tonight’s clash.
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