Mocked for his lack of success, the Rhone striker has partly silenced the critics in recent weeks. A momentum to be confirmed this Sunday in the shock against Lille.
His shot on the post against Bayern Munich in the semi-final of the Champions League had unleashed the Lyon fans. But Karl Toko Ekambi, with four goals in two games, reversed the trend, becoming a surprise holder before facing Lille on Sunday in Ligue 1 (9:00 p.m.). In addition to his attempt on the amount against the German club, which had ignited the Twittosphere where he had been given the nickname of “Poteau Ekambi”, the former striker of Angers and Villarreal had also touched wood in Montpellier, September 15, at the start of a 2-1 lost game. He also failed to open the scoring in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League against Juventus Turin with a header that hit the bar on February 27. Enough to quickly gain a bad reputation as a guignard, which, since the last round, he has been responsible for silencing by successful performances, with two doubles in Strasbourg (3-2) and against Monaco (4- 1).
Even if he had assured not to be affected by these attacks, Karl Toko Ekambi (28), whose purchase option was exercised in June for 11.5 million euros from Villarreal, with the key a four-year contract, showed a steel mind to overcome them by taking refuge in work. And he sees himself rewarded today. “We have to show my players that by winning it is normal to continue,” said Lyon coach Rudi Garcia at a press conference on Friday. As a result, the Cameroonian international, tenured for two matches on the left wing of OL’s attack, should be confirmed Sunday in Lille for the duel at the top at the end of the 8th day, just like the eleven who started against Monaco.
“As long as it lasts for him. It is well. He is a player who works. He is the prototype of the modern striker, capable of eliminating, he goes very quickly. “
Rudi garcia
“As long as it lasts for him. It is well. He is a player who works. He is the prototype of the modern striker, capable of eliminating, he goes very quickly. He uses deep calls where he can be served. He tries to combine with others, describes Garcia. Since he arrived last January (on loan), it’s a satisfaction. He scored quickly but with confinement, he lacked success by touching the posts and at the start of the season but now he is more successful, it’s good for him and for us. ” The Lyon coach has just aligned the Cameroonian, a native of Paris, twice on the left wing with Tino Kadewere on the right flank. The Zimbabwean is like him a recruit from the last winter transfer window, which only arrived in June in the workforce, and he is like “KTE” a surprise holder to surround Memphis Depay in attack.
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“It all depends on the strategy and the game plan, on what is expected of off-center players to attack. For me, both Tino and Karl are also axis players. When we have the ball, they are never on the sides but in the axis, details Rudi Garcia. On some matches, but not all, depending on the opponents’ playing systems, they come to work on the sides. But, neither of them should come as fifth defender when we defend. They must move to the side while continuing to play in the axis, if I can put it that way. ” It is also a way of not being locked in an overly strict offensive organization at the time of having to confirm the Lyon start against Lille, the team in shape of the moment on Sunday.
