Thomas Meunier transformed as Lille face Nice after resurgent return | OneFootball

Thomas Meunier has hit top stride since returning from injury ahead of Lille’s meeting with Nice on Saturday at 21:05. The club said in a statement that Nabil Bentaleb will undergo a minor procedure to treat an infection, while Nathan Ngoy is suspended.

Back on the first of March at Nantes, the Belgian came off the bench for 27 minutes and set up Ngoy for a 90+4 winner in a 1-0 victory that might have altered Lille’s course. His return has coincided with further wins over Rennes 2-1, Marseille 2-1 and Lens 3-0.

Across six outings since, the last four as a starter, Meunier has produced two assists and one goal, already exceeding his pre-injury tally for the season. A strike initially given to him in the 4-0 win at Toulouse was reassigned the following day as a Rasmus Nicolaisen own goal, though the opener owed plenty to his enterprise.

He has seen off Tiago Santos on the right and, at 34, continues to post standout data. Bruno Genesio highlights his elite athleticism, ability to carry the team upfield with or without the ball and the technical quality that brings goals and assists, while noting Meunier was among those absent during a tougher spell.

Team-mate Aïssa Mandi jokes that Meunier is a machine who never stops running. Genesio adds that, having started out as a striker, Meunier even volunteered to play higher when attacking issues arose, and he carries a consistently positive mindset. A respected voice at Luchin and on the pitch, he is set to take a major role against Nice.

Source: L'Équipe