Endrick Benched as Lyon Opt for Ghezzal Against Lorient
Real Madrid loanee Endrick was an unused substitute as Olympique Lyonnais defeated Lorient 2-0 on Sunday, with manager Paulo Fonseca opting for Rachid Ghezzal in the starting lineup. The 18-year-old Brazilian, on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, was left on the bench for the Ligue 1 clash at the Groupama Stadium.
The decision came just days after Fonseca had publicly critiqued the young forward's performance in a press conference, stating the player needed to provide more defensive effort when not in possession. The manager's team selection, which saw 19-year-old Steeve Kango make his first start in defense and Ainsley Maitland-Niles deployed in midfield, indicated a tactical shift. The Lyon starting eleven against Lorient featured Ghezzal, Roman Yaremchuk, and D. N. Moreira in the attacking positions.
Endrick, who joined Lyon on a straight loan deal from Real Madrid at the start of the season, has been a regular starter for Fonseca’s side. The 18-year-old, who officially joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras in a high-profile €60 million move in the summer of 2024, was immediately sent to Lyon to gain first-team experience in a major European league. His omission from the starting lineup against a struggling Lorient side, which Lyon defeated 2-0, suggests the manager is looking for a different profile in the forward line.
The Brazilian prodigy has shown flashes of his immense potential since arriving in France, scoring three goals in his first ten appearances. However, his work rate and defensive contributions have been questioned. Fonseca’s decision to bench him in favor of the more experienced Ghezzal, a 31-year-old Algerian international, indicates a demand for increased tactical discipline from the young star. The move paid immediate dividends, with Ghezzal providing an assist in the 2-0 victory that ended a poor run of form for Lyon.
For Lyon, currently in a rebuilding phase under new American owner John Textor, the development of a top-tier talent like Endrick is a major part of their project. However, Fonseca’s latest selection shows that the player’s development will be on the manager’s terms, with a clear emphasis on a strong work ethic. For Real Madrid, the loan was designed to accelerate Endrick’s adaptation to European football, and such tactical decisions by Fonseca are viewed as part of the player's necessary education at the highest level. The competition for places in Lyon's attack, with the experienced Alexandre Lacazette also in the squad, means Endrick must adapt quickly to the physical and tactical demands of Ligue 1 if he is to secure a regular starting spot.
