Correia, Mukau and Perraud, Lille’s unsung axis behind Genesio’s rebalanced side | OneFootball

Félix Correia, Ngal'ayel Mukau and Romain Perraud have quietly driven Lille’s recent form as they face Le Havre on Sunday at 15:00.

Since the 2-1 win at Rennes on 15 March, Bruno Genesio has relied on Correia and Mukau wide, giving Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Hakon Haraldsson more freedom between the lines. According to L'Équipe, Perraud reclaimed the left against Lens soon after and has stayed there.

Correia, 25, is Lille’s most used player with 45 appearances, yet he has completed only three of his 34 starts. He has four goals and five Ligue 1 assists, but his tracking and discipline have helped tighten the back line. Obraniak sees him as a rough diamond who complements Perraud, and Genesio persisted even when the crowd wavered.

Mukau, 21, has been a Genesio gambit wide, offering balance by tucking inside and covering Thomas Meunier. A starter since Rennes, he was withdrawn on 56 minutes in the 0-0 with Nice, but stayed on in narrow wins over Paris FC and Marseille. Ex-Lille champion Ludovic Obraniak calls it a shrewd switch that rebalanced the side and unlocked Fernandez-Pardo with Haraldsson.

At 28, Perraud has nailed down the left, relentless with his running and crossing alongside Correia. The pair lead Lille for open play crosses attempted and completed across competitions. Replacing Gabriel Gudmundsson and Ismaily was no small task, yet Perraud has looked a reliable, mature signing, and Obraniak hails him as a soldier, praising his service to Giroud and his energy.

Source: L'Équipe