After Oscar Garcia (Reims) at the beginning of December, Julien Stéphan (Strasbourg), at the end of 2021, then Olivier Dall’Oglio (Montpellier) and Mauricio Pochettino (Paris SG), at the end of last week, the turn of another Ligue 1 technician from being infected with Covid-19.
Lille coach Jocelyn Gourvennec announced on Tuesday that he has been infected and will not be on the Losc bench on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.) against Lorient in the late match of the 20th day.
“I will be there, in the state of mind and the desire”
“I was detected positive for Covid so I am doing the press conference remotely to respect the protocol and the barrier gestures. I had some symptoms with headaches yesterday (Monday) so it’s frustrating, but you have to respect the protocols, ”said the northern technician in video.
We’ve all been tested, I’m the only one left out. I hope to be there on Saturday (in Brest, editor’s note), but I will be there tomorrow, from a distance, in the state of mind and the desire to play a big match.
Gourvennec stressed that his absence would not hinder his team, which remains on a draw (1-1) in Marseille, neither in the preparation nor in the match itself.
“It will not affect the quality of the preparation for the match, explained the Dogues coach. What will be different is that I will not be in the stadium. We have enough tools to organize ourselves well, so it will remain fluid and I will communicate remotely with the players and the staff at the time of the match. »
Eighth case since recovery
Since the resumption after the winter break, on December 30, seven Lille players have already tested positive for Covid-19.
Before this late match against Lorient, Lille, reigning French champion, is 10th in the standings with 29 points, while Les Merlus occupy the place of barrage (18th) with 17 units on the clock.