Olympique Lyonnais secured a second pre-season victory on Saturday, beating St. Gallen 6-3. But Malick Fofana's (21) absence raised questions again. The Belgian winger didn't feature, just like against Mâcon on Wednesday. Jorge Maciel, Paulo Fonseca's assistant, clarified the situation on OL Play.

Why is Malick Fofana absent?

"Everything is fine with Malick, he's doing well," Maciel first assured. The coach explained it's a simple precaution. "It's to respect the timings we set for him," he added. Fofana is training normally with the squad. The Lyon staff is managing his workload after a long injury last season.

What is the context for OL at the start of the season?

Olympique Lyonnais currently sits 10th in Ligue 1, with 0 points and a 0 goal difference (0 scored, 0 conceded). Pre-season is about fine-tuning the team's mechanics. The club wants to start the league campaign with a full squad. Managing Fofana, a promising young player, is a key priority for the staff.

What's next for Fofana at Lyon?

With 2 goals in 16 appearances across all competitions in the 2025-2026 season, the Belgian is seen as an important attacking asset. The Lyon staff is taking no risks. The goal is to have him fully fit for the start of the season. Fans can be reassured: his absence is only temporary.