At Lens, Bulatovic-Haidara have the future ahead of them | OneFootball

With Adrien Thomasson and Mamadou Sangaré suspended after a 3-3 draw at Brest, Lens turn to Andrija Bulatovic and Amadou Haidara against Nantes on Friday at 20:45. According to L'Équipe, the stand-ins have a chance to stake a claim for next season.

The timing of the cautions at Brest has been viewed as a calculated coincidence, costing Nantes rather than a bigger date. The absentees are Ligue 1’s leading provider Thomasson on 10 assists and the Malian revelation Sangaré, overlooked at the UNFP awards.

Thomasson has yet to extend, with a decision due in the coming days, while Sangaré is attracting heavy summer interest. Bulatovic, 19, arrived from Buducnost Podgorica for €1.7m and is in line for many more minutes next season. Haidara, 28, was primed over six months to become important, and the staff feel ready whether Adrien and Mamadou stay or go.

Haidara admits this has been a difficult season with limited minutes and hopes to be fitter and better adapted next term. He welcomes the chance to pair with Bula and notes the youngster’s personality and set-piece boldness. Bulatovic’s right foot has delivered a direct free-kick in a 2-1 friendly against Rouen on 11 April, then the corner for the winner in the 3-2 win over Toulouse on 17 April.

When they play together Bulatovic often pushes higher and Haidara sits slightly deeper, though the roles can switch to keep balance. The Malian hints a run together could arrive soon.

Source: L'Équipe