Could Benjamin André’s return hand Bruno Genesio a Lille selection puzzle? | OneFootball

Bruno Genesio faces a delicate call on reintegrating captain Benjamin André after injury, with Lille on a winning run without him.

L'Équipe reports André hurt his hip in the 0-1 Europa League defeat to Aston Villa on 12 March, then returned late in the 3-0 derby win over Lens. In between LOSC won three straight in Ligue 1, at Rennes 2-1, at Marseille 2-1, then Lens 3-0.

The Nabil Bentaleb and Ayyoub Bouaddi axis has underpinned that surge, and against Lens Genesio introduced André for Hakon Haraldsson rather than break up the pair. His demeanour on the bench drew praise, though whether he accepts a prolonged reserve role remains unclear.

There is precedent for sticking with a self-selecting side. In 2002-03 at Lyon, Paul Le Guen left Edmilson and Mahamadou Diarra out after a 0-2 defeat at Monaco in early February 2003, relied on Eric Carrière and Philippe Violeau with Vikash Dhorasoo and Juninho, and won the title.

Inside Lille, André’s influence is considered immense. He pushed to play the Aston Villa return despite struggling to walk, and in training he competes without restraint.

Genesio has stressed André’s importance and captaincy while acknowledging the team have played very well without him. For Toulouse, he could remove Ngal'ayel Mukau and lean towards a four-three-three with Haraldsson to the right, though changing a fluent shape may hinge on fitness this week. André frames competition as healthy for the group.

When he came on against Lens, Aïssa Mandi ran to hand him the armband. André’s aura endures.

Source: L'Équipe