Sampaoli – “We’ll have to put in a good performance.”
“(New signing Cédric) Bakambu is quick, I’ve seen him play in Spain and China. His movement is good and he’ll give us extra options when it comes to scoring goals.”
“It’s the first time I’ve had a full squad to choose from. (Valentin) Rongier did some of the last training session, which was his first (after injury). Some players are doubtful due to Covid. You have to adapt, there are new things to deal with every day.”
“Continuity is very important. We need (Cengiz) Ünder because of his match-winning ability. We work with him every day to try to make him more decisive.”
“A tactical change might come as a result of how compatible certain players are with one another. We’ll have to work on the options of playing with two central strikers, or with one winger and one forward. That depends on the players and how well they complement one another.”
“The Lille game is important for us. We were outplayed in the reverse fixture. We’ll have to put in a good performance.”
“(Matteo) Guendouzi offers us a certain type of energy. He’s a special character, he always wants to win, he’s a natural leader. It’s a big positive for us, his energy is contagious.”
“Every member of the squad is important to me. Álvaro (González) is still here. A coach wants to put the best team out onto the pitch and he picks his team with one thing in mind – winning the game.”
“Experience is important for players but also in life in general. Young players have less of it but it’s not the only thing that counts. Guendouzi, for example, has the maturity of a 30-year-old.”
“Gerson usually plays centrally in the hole. We need versatile players. Gerson is capable of adapting well when he has the ball at his feet but he also has to do it off the ball.”
“(Pau) López is in good shape, he helps the defence to start building attacks. We have two really good options in goal with him and (Steve) Mandanda.”
Team news
“Léo Jardim is recovering from injury, as are Jéremy Pied and Timothy Weah. None of them will be involved.”
Jonathan Ikoné out, Edon Zhegrova in
“I wanted to make sure we got a replacement for Jonathan Ikoné when he left and we have done. We want to have lots of competition for places and be more consistent.”
“Edon is good, he’d already started training again with Basel. He’ll be travelling with us. It’s good for him to be thrown in at the deep end. He’s happy to be here. He’s a player that has great potential and plenty of desire.”
“Jonathan Ikoné could play in the hole or on either wing. Edon is more of a wide player. They have similar qualities. Jorko did a lot for the club, Edon will have to prove himself.”
Getting back underway after the winter break
“We have to adapt. We would’ve preferred to play against Lorient last weekend. This week’s training was intense, I’ve liked the players’ commitment since we came back (from the winter break). The squad is bigger now, which is good for our next few games.”
“We want to finish the season at the top end of the table. That’s where Lille belong. We’re capable of playing at a very high level, as we’ve shown in the Champions League in particular. But we need to be better and more efficient.”
“We have both experienced players and the energy of youth. The last 16 of the Champions League will be huge for us but first we need to get the second part of the Ligue 1 season off to a good start.”
Burak Yilmaz
“Burak missed the game against Lens but he’s fit, determined and motivated. He’s come back feeling fresh.”
“Burak has often been at the heart of our best moments. Every player has to raise his game to make sure things come off. We’ve gained experience in the first part of the season. We need to get into the right position.”