Yéhvann Diouf seeks Coupe de France lift after demotion at Nice | OneFootball

Yéhvann Diouf has gone from undisputed starter to back-up at Nice since Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations, and he will look to use the Coupe de France to reset when he starts at Lorient on Wednesday at 20:30.

L'Équipe reports that the 26-year-old returned on 25 January and accepted a place on the bench at Nantes, a 4-1 win, after missing a week of training. Four days later he played in the Europa League at Ludogorets, a 0-1 defeat, before learning ahead of the Brest draw that Maxime Dupé, 32, had been installed as number one despite starting the first 16 league matches.

Diouf was with his national team when Claude Puel replaced Franck Haise on 29 December, while Dupé was available and impressed during the interim. He has not been given a clear reason, with timing seen as decisive. Dupé drew 1-1 with Strasbourg, then beat Nantes in the cup after penalties, 1-1, 5-3, and in the league, before a 1-5 defeat at Toulouse.

Puel kept faith for continuity and, in the coach’s eyes, Dupé brings greater calm and is more precise with his distribution. The two goalkeepers are viewed as being at a very similar level.

Puel has appreciated Diouf’s attitude in disappointment and rates his aerial game. Diouf kept goal in a 2-0 friendly win over Grasse last Wednesday to stay sharp for the cup, with plenty at stake for both club and keeper.

Source: L'Équipe