Lille have no choice but to win their home game against Galatasaray to maintain their hopes of securing their spot for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. Davide Ancelotti’s Les Dogues are yet to log a single point after opening defeats against Real Betis (2-3) and Arsenal (3-0).
The Italian head coach is barely spoilt for choices to pick up his starting XI. Ayase Ueda picked up an injury against the Gunners and Hamza Igamane continues his recovery after tearing an ACL during the AFCON final. 40-year-old Olivier Giroud is therefore expected to lead the line. Hakon Haraldsson and Nottingham Forest loanee Dilane Bakwa are poised to be deployed as winger as Ethan Mbappé remains out through suspension.
L’Equipe predicts that Ancelotti will start Berke Özer between the sticks after trusting Orlando Gill to start on Saturday against Brest.
Lille likely line-up v Galatasaray
Berke Özer; Romain Perraud, Alexsandro, Nathan Ngoy, Maxima Goffi; Ngal’Ayel Mukau, Nabil Bentaleb, Benjamin André; Hakon Haraldsson, Olivier Giroud, Dilane Bakwa. (L’Éq)