Lyon Predicted XI vs Ludogorets: Fofana Injured, Benrahma Set for Transfer Ahead of Europa League Clash

17 Jun

by Bathandwa Samfumfana 7 Comments

Lyon Hit by Team Changes Ahead of Europa League Fixture Against Ludogorets

This isn’t the smooth run-up that Lyon fans were hoping for ahead of their crucial Europa League match with Ludogorets Razgrad. Two big names, Malick Fofana and Saïd Benrahma, will be nowhere near the starting lineup, and not for tactical reasons. Fofana’s hip issue has sidelined him yet again, a blow for a team that relies heavily on his movement down the wings. Meanwhile, Benrahma is packing his bags, locked in transfer talks with a Saudi club, leaving Lyon’s flanks alarmingly thin for one of their biggest European nights so far this season.

With both wide options gone, all eyes fall on Rayan Cherki. If there’s one silver lining, it’s this: Cherki thrives under pressure, especially when given license to create. He’s already chalked up four assists and a whopping 25 goal opportunities for teammates in Lyon’s European campaign. There’s a clear expectation for him to deliver again—this time as the squad’s primary playmaker. Lyon’s roster, as it stands, is forced into new combinations and less familiar territory not just on the wings but across midfield too.

Fresh Faces, New Challenges and Ludogorets’ Lineup Woes

Adding to the shuffle, new arrival Thiago Almada, who just made his Ligue 1 debut after joining from Botafogo, has to sit this one out. UEFA’s registration rules mean fans won’t see him in European action until the knockout rounds, even though many were hoping his energy might soften the sting of losing Fofana and Benrahma.

So what’s likely for Lyon’s XI? Expect Lucas Perri to hold steady in goal, backed by Saël Kumbedi and Nicolas Tagliafico on the flanks, with Clinton Mata and Moussa Niakhate as center backs. Corentin Tolisso, Jordan Veretout, and Nemanja Matić look set to battle in midfield. Up front, Alexandre Lacazette, Georges Mikautadze, and Cherki form a reshuffled but dangerous attack.

Ludogorets Razgrad aren’t coming in with a full deck either. Pedro Naressi returns after suspension, a lift for their midfield, but they’re missing several key players, including attacker Kwadwo Duah and winger Bernard Tekpetey. Keeper Bonmann anchors a defense led by Olivier Verdon, with Caio providing an attacking threat up front. Ludogorets are expected to rely on set pieces and tight defense to keep Lyon in check, knowing their own firepower is thinned by injuries and bans.

It’s not just a tactical tussle but a test of depth, especially when Lyon have conceded only eight times in their last 15 European home games. Both managers head into this one looking for answers—Lyon banking on Cherki to unlock a stubborn Ludogorets defense, while the visitors hope to steal something on the counter or from dead-ball situations.

The stage is set for a gritty, high-stakes match where creativity and discipline might matter even more than raw talent—and where every absence feels that much bigger under the European floodlights.

Tags: Lyon Europa League Ludogorets Malick Fofana

7 Comments

Amanda Kelly
June 18, 2025 AT 02:36

Lyon’s entire strategy is crumbling and nobody’s talking about how Cherki’s been carrying this team on his back for months. The club’s been financially reckless for years-selling Benrahma now is just the latest symptom. They’re not rebuilding, they’re burning down the house and calling it ‘restructuring.’ And don’t get me started on the board’s obsession with Saudi cash.

This isn’t football anymore. It’s a corporate liquidity event dressed in jerseys.
Jessica Herborn
June 18, 2025 AT 23:24

i mean like... if you think about it deeply... the absence of fofana isnt just physical its metaphysical right? like... the way he moves... its not just about speed or stamina... its like... the soul of the team... and now with benrahma leaving... its like the universe is rearranging itself... and cherki... hes not just a player... hes a vessel... a conduit for the old gods of ligue 1... i think we’re witnessing a spiritual transition here... someone please write a thesis on this
Lakshmi Narasimham
June 20, 2025 AT 16:42

Ludogorets have better defense than lyon right now and they dont even have their best striker. Cherki is overrated. He makes too many bad passes. Lacazette is old. Niakhate cant handle pace. This match is already over. Lyon will lose 2-1 and everyone will pretend it was close. The real problem is the coach. He has no idea what he is doing.
Madhuri Singh
June 21, 2025 AT 09:07

chekri gonna be the one who saves this mess. like yeah fofana is out and benrahma is ghosting us but hey... at least we still have that little guy who looks like he’s 15 but plays like a wizard. ludogorets? they’ll be lucky to score once. this is gonna be a 3-0 win and im already booking my tickets to lyon next month. #cherkiforever
Amanda Dempsey
June 22, 2025 AT 22:32

This team is a joke. They let Benrahma walk for nothing. Cherki is a glorified academy kid. They’re relying on a 33-year-old striker and a midfield full of retirees. Ludogorets will score twice from set pieces and Lyon will whine about bad refs. This isn’t a match. It’s a funeral.
Ruth Ellis
June 23, 2025 AT 10:32

I don’t care what anyone says. American sports have better depth than this. You lose two key players and suddenly you’re scrambling like a high school team? This is why European football is declining. No structure. No discipline. No real talent development. If this was the NFL, they’d have 15 backups ready. Here? They’re hoping Cherki does magic with one foot tied behind his back.
Peter Novák
June 24, 2025 AT 08:25

The assertion that Cherki is the sole solution to Lyon’s structural deficiencies is empirically unsound. The team’s midfield lacks positional discipline. The defensive line is mismatched. The transfer strategy is reactive rather than proactive. The club’s failure to secure a long-term replacement for Benrahma prior to his departure constitutes a managerial breach of fiduciary duty. This match will not be decided by individual brilliance but by systemic collapse.