Lille Team News Page 6 - Soccer

Olivier Giroud - Cleared for season opener Giroud (knee) is available for Saturday's season opener against Angers, according to coach Davide Ancelotti.

Impact Giroud had left the friendly against Everton with a knee issue, but tests afterward came back clean and he returned to training soon after, all pointing toward this outcome. He's now expected to lead the line for Lille right from the start of the campaign, giving manager Davide Ancelotti his preferred striker option as the club opens its season.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Newly promoted Le Mans has signed veteran defender Djibril Sidibe until 2028

Newly promoted Le Mans has signed veteran defender Djibril Sidibe on a two-year-contract with the option for an extra year

AUGUST 18 • Associated Press

PSG favorite to win another French title with spending power unmatched by rivals in Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain hardly needed to bolster a squad good enough to win five consecutive Ligue 1 titles and two straight Champions Leagues

AUGUST 17 • Associated Press

Olivier Giroud - Will resume training Tuesday Giroud (knee) underwent tests after leaving Saturday's friendly against Everton with an injury but they came back clean, and he's scheduled to return to training Tuesday, the club...

Impact Manager Davide Ancelotti had already stated Sunday that Giroud was expected to be available for the season opener against Angers, and the results of these tests confirm that. If the veteran striker doesn't suffer any setbacks in training in the coming days, he should lead the line in Lille's campaign opener this Sunday.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Olivier Giroud - Reassuring news on knee Giroud is expected to be available for the season opener against Angers after his knee scare in Saturday's friendly against Everton, according to coach Davide Ancelotti, per Le Pet...

Impact Giroud was forced off early in the 1-1 draw after his knee twisted, drawing loud applause from Everton supporters as he left the pitch, though he later confirmed the tests conducted since had been reassuring. He is set to undergo further examinations, though initial results have eased concern. Soriba Diaoune could see increased minutes if Giroud is ultimately unavailable.

AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE

Nabil Bentaleb - Starts final friendly Bentaleb (undisclosed) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's final friendly against Everton, according to the club.

Impact Bentaleb had been forced off after just 11 minutes in the earlier friendly against Hamburger SV, a concerning early scare that came not long after he signed a contract extension through 2028. His return to the starting XI confirms that setback was not serious, and he now looks set to build toward the new season after contributing two goals and two assists across 26 league appearances last season.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Paris Saint-Germain strengthens defense by signing left back Lucas Digne from Aston Villa

Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain has strengthened its defense by signing left back Lucas Digne from Aston Villa on a three-year contract

AUGUST 10 • Associated Press

Benjamin Andre - Suspended for season opener Andre will miss Lille's season opener against Angers on August 23 due to yellow card accumulation dating from last season, according to the league.

Impact Andre made 27 Ligue 1 appearances last season, contributing two goals and two assists while continuing to captain the side, and should remain the main leader in midfield heading into 2026/27 under new coach Davide Ancelotti. Ayyoub Bouaddi and Nabil Bentaleb are expected to hold larger roles during his suspension, though Bouaddi could depart the club before that fixture given ongoing transfer speculation surrounding him.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Matias Fernandez-Pardo - Suspended for season opener Fernandez-Pardo will be suspended for Lille's season opener against Angers on August 23 due to yellow card accumulation dating from last season, according to the league.

Impact Fernandez-Pardo finished last season with eight goals and five assists across 29 Ligue 1 appearances, a breakout campaign that earned him a spot in Belgium's World Cup squad, though he only managed three bench appearances at the tournament before Belgium's elimination. His standout form has attracted significant transfer interest from clubs and he could still be on the move before the summer transfer window closes despite Lille's reported reluctance to sell.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Nabil Bentaleb - Forced off early Bentaleb (undisclosed) was forced off in the 11th minute of Saturday's friendly against Hamburger SV due to injury, the club posted.

Impact Bentaleb recently extended his contract with Lille through 2028 after making 13 starts in 26 league appearances last season, contributing two goals and two assists. His early withdrawal is a concerning early setback, and further clarity on the severity of the issue will be needed as Lille continues its preseason preparations.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Loun Srdanovic - On bench against HSV Srdanovic (thigh) is on the bench for Saturday's friendly against Hamburger SV, according to Le Petit Lillois.

Impact Srdanovic had been unused in the earlier match against OH Leuven while working through a thigh problem, so his inclusion in the matchday squad now confirms he has recovered enough to be considered. He remains a backup option at right back behind Tiago Santos, and his continued availability will be worth tracking as Lille progresses through the rest of preseason.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Romain Perraud - Starts friendly against HSV Perraud (knock) is in the starting squad for Saturday's friendly against Hamburger SV, the club posted.

Impact Perraud had missed the earlier practice match against OH Leuven with a knock, a setback that raised some concern given his standing as the team's top left back option. His return to the starting lineup confirms that issue was not serious, positioning him to build on last season's productive campaign, in which he contributed three goals and four assists across 40 league and European appearances.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Nathan Ngoy - Ready for new season Ngoy is ready for the new season and training with Lille following the post World Cup break, according to the club.

Impact Ngoy made 29 Ligue 1 appearances last season, contributing one goal and two assists while helping Lille finish third and keep nine clean sheets, establishing himself as a regular in the back line. He capped his season with a strong World Cup showing for Belgium, contributing seven tackles, six interceptions and 18 clearances across 336 minutes, and his return to club training now shifts focus to preseason preparations as he looks to build on last season's contributions.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Loun Srdanovic - Suffers thigh issue Srdanovic was unused in Saturday's matchup versus OH Leuven while he worked on his recovery from a thigh problem, Le Petit Lillois reports.

Impact Srdanovic is currently a backup asset but has been trusted as a long-term option for Lille, signing a four-year contract in July. While the severity of his injury is unknown, he may be ruled out of the initial weeks of the season, with Tiago Santos most likely favored at right-back.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Romain Perraud - Misses friendly due to blow Perraud didn't play in Saturday's practice match against OH Leuven after sustaining a knock, per Le Petit Lillois.

Impact Perraud should be the team's top left-back option, but there's a chance this issue will force him to sit out more games. Such event would allow Calvin Verdonk to get some rare starts. While his availability is uncertain, Perraud will hope this issue is not a major injury and doesn't sideline him for long. He's coming off a productive campaign in which he contributed three goals and four assists across 40 league or European appearances, with set-piece deliveries adding a significant boost to his defensive tasks.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Osame Sahraoui - Starts in friendly Sahraoui (undisclosed) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's friendly against OH Leuven, the club posted.

Impact Sahraoui had missed most of the second half of last season with a groin problem and had yet to feature in any preseason friendlies before this, so his return to the starting XI is a significant step forward in his recovery. His involvement gives Lille a boost heading into the new season as he looks to regain a regular role on the left wing after Felix Correia and Basar Onal had figured to be the main options in his absence.

AUGUST 1 • ROTOWIRE

Ayyoub Bouaddi - Reports to LOSC for preseson Bouaddi is back at the Domaine de Luchin for preseason with Lille, the club posted.

Impact Bouaddi capped an impressive World Cup with Morocco by starting all five of the country's matches, totaling 384 minutes and completing 235 passes as he dictated the midfield throughout the tournament. The 18 year old midfielder's return to club training now shifts focus to preseason preparations, though his future at Lille could be in question given reported interest from Manchester City, a situation that will be worth monitoring as the transfer window progresses.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Nabil Bentaleb - Extends with Lille Bentaleb extended with Lille and will remain with the club until 2028.

Impact Bentaleb is not leaving Lille after the end of his contract at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, as the midfielder has re-signed for a further two seasons. He started in 13 of his 26 league appearances last campaign, bagging two goals and two assists. He will now likely work back into a rotational to starting role, likely to be a useful and experienced piece in UCL play.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Osame Sahraoui - Recovering from slight issue Sahraoui suffered a small injury during the preseason and has yet to make an appearance in friendly matches, per Le Petit Lillois.

Impact Sahraoui missed most of the second half of the 2025/26 season due to a groin problem, and his exclusion from practice games suggests he's not yet 100 percent fit. He could have enough time to progress in his recovery ahead of the start of the next campaign in August, but he'll need to work on his physical condition before being considered as a real contender for starting spots. Meanwhile, both Felix Correia and Basar Onal should be the team's main picks on the left wing.

JULY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Lille bolster defence with Nianzou signing Tanguy Nianzou says he is ready to get back to playing regular minutes after moving back to France, joining Lille.

JULY 19 • BEINSPORTS.COM

Marseille appoints Bruno Genesio as the new coach replacing Habib Beye

Bruno Genesio has been appointed as Marseille's new coach following a turbulent season

JULY 1 • Associated Press

Morocco's World Cup Star Ayyoub Bouaddi Will Be On Wishlist Of Top Clubs

Arsenal have reportedly made their move for one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup.

JUNE 15 • FOX SPORTS

Morocco's World Cup Star Ayyoub Bouaddi Will Be On Wishlist Of Top Clubs

Davide Ancelotti named as Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti, son of Brazil boss Carlo, haas been named head coach of Lille on a two-year deal.

JUNE 1 • BEINSPORTS.COM

Son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti hired to lead Lille in return to Champions League

The son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has been hired by Lille to lead the French club in the Champions League next season

JUNE 1 • Associated Press

Lille finishes third in Ligue 1 to secure a Champions League berth despite losing to Auxerre

Lille finishes the Ligue 1 season in third place and secures a Champions League spot despite losing 2-0 to Auxerre

MAY 17 • Associated Press

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Newly promoted Le Mans has signed veteran defender Djibril Sidibe until 2028

PSG favorite to win another French title with spending power unmatched by rivals in Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain strengthens defense by signing left back Lucas Digne from Aston Villa

Marseille appoints Bruno Genesio as the new coach replacing Habib Beye

Morocco's World Cup Star Ayyoub Bouaddi Will Be On Wishlist Of Top Clubs

Son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti hired to lead Lille in return to Champions League

Lille finishes third in Ligue 1 to secure a Champions League berth despite losing to Auxerre