Determined Depay seeking renaissance at Lyon
PARIS: With three goals in seven league games, including a brace against Metz last weekend, former Manchester United outcast Memphis Depay is striving to reignite his career in France with Lyon.
“He’s making good progress and is proving that we did well to recruit him,” said coach Bruno Genesio, after Lyon stumped up an initial fee of 16 million euros ( US$ 17 million) to prise him away from Old Trafford. Ahead of Friday’s trip to Bordeaux in Ligue 1, the 23-year- old appears equally as happy with his new team-mates and surroundings but knows there is plenty more to come.
“Even if I scored twice against Metz, I think there are things I could have done better but I’m progressing. It’s just the second time I played 90 minutes. I’m not at my best level,” admitted Depay.
The Dutchman represented Lyon’s lone acquisition in the January transfer window, the club’s Champions League group stage exit underlining their failure to bolster the squad the previous summer.
While still holed up in a hotel, Genesio praised the way Depay has blended into the squad and lauded his attitude off the pitch, with the winger also starting to come to grasps with the language.
“He’s not shy, he’s someone who approaches the others. This makes things easier in terms of human relations. We’re noticing his progress over the past few matches even if there are still things to improve. We haven’t seen his true self yet,” said Genesio.Goalkeeper Anthony Lopes hailed Depay’s impact in the short time he’s spent at his new club, marvelling at his contribution for someone who featured sparingly under Jose Mourinho at United. — AFP
Saturday
Leganes vs Granada (1200) Eibar vs Real Madrid (1515) Villarreal vs Espanyol (1730) Barcelona vs Celta Vigo (1945)
Sunday
Sporting Gijon vs Deportivo la Coruna (1100) Atletico Madrid vs Valencia (1515) Las Palmas vs Osasuna (1730) Athletic Bilbao vs Malaga (1945)
Monday
Alaves vs Sevilla (1945)
FRENCH LIGUE 1 Saturday
Paris Saint- Germain vs Nancy (1600) Bastia vs Saint- Etienne Caen vs Angers Dijon vs Nice Metz vs Rennes Montpellier vs Guingamp (all 1900)
Sunday
Lorient vs Marseille (1400) Toulouse vs Lille (1600) Monaco vs Nantes ( 2000)
ITALIAN SERIE A Saturday
Roma vs Napoli (1400) Sampdoria vs Pescara (1700) AC Milan vs Chievo (1945)
Sunday
Atalanta vs Fiorentina (1130) Cagliari vs Inter Milan Crotone vs Sassuolo Empoli vs Genoa Torino vs Palermo Udinese vs Juventus (all 1400) Bologna vs Lazio (1945)