Lille OSC will be missing the services of midfielder Nabil Bentaleb for their upcoming Ligue 1 fixture this weekend, as he serves a suspension imposed by the professional football disciplinary committee.
Bentaleb, who previously played for Angers, will be unavailable for selection when Lille host Strasbourg at the Pierre Mauroy stadium on Sunday, April 21.
The Algerian international has been sidelined due to accumulating three yellow cards in less than 10 matches, triggering an automatic suspension as per league regulations.
His absence presents a challenge for Lille’s head coach, Paulo Fonseca, as he prepares his squad for the crucial encounter.
The absence of Bentaleb, known as “Le Fennec,” could pose a significant setback for Lille, depriving them of his midfield presence and creativity on the field.
With important points at stake in the race for league standings, Fonseca will need to devise a strategy to compensate for the absence of the influential midfielder.
However, there is a silver lining for Lille fans, as Bentaleb is set to make his return to the squad for their subsequent fixture against Monaco on Wednesday, April 24.
The match against Monaco, a rescheduled fixture from the 29th day of Ligue 1, offers Bentaleb the opportunity to rejoin his teammates and contribute to their campaign in the league.
Throughout the current Ligue 1 season, Bentaleb has featured prominently for Lille, making 21 appearances and providing three assists.
His dynamic style of play and technical abilities have been instrumental in Lille’s performances, making his suspension a matter of concern for the team as they strive for success in the league.
As Lille prepares to face Strasbourg without Bentaleb, supporters will be hoping for a strong collective effort from the team to overcome the absence of the talented midfielder and secure a positive result in the upcoming fixture.