Aladji Bamba avoids injury after precautionary half-time change at Lyon | OneFootball

A few hours after Monaco’s 2-1 win at Lyon on Sunday, 19-year-old midfielder Aladji Bamba was found to have no injury despite a first-half knee scare.

According to L'Équipe, he landed awkwardly from an aerial challenge in the 39th minute, early footage hinting at an ankle problem, but he complained of pain in his knee. Sébastien Pocognoli replaced him with Mamadou Coulibaly at half-time as a precaution.

Pocognoli said Bamba was in pain yet wanted to play on, describing him as a warrior, but stressed he needed to protect him. He noted new experiences for the teenager, such as playing while booked against Brest a week earlier and the risk of starting a second half when not fully fit.

The Belgian added he thought it did not seem serious, while emphasising that assessments were required to be sure.

Bamba had been influential before the interval against Lyon.

Source: L'Équipe