TANGIERS, Morocco (AFP) – French fans will get a first real glimpse of Lille’s new-look line-up when last season’s double-winners face Marseille in the season-opening Champions Trophy on Wednesday.
Lille ended a 55-year wait for silverware by beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in last season’s French Cup final and then secured a first league title since 1954 by wrestling the Ligue 1 crown from defending champions Marseille.
The two trophies were fitting recompense for a side that has played some of the most attractive football in Europe over the past two years, but close-season departures mean they will never play together again.
France centre-back Adil Rami completed a move to Valencia that was agreed in January, while Ivorian attacker Gervinho joined Arsenal and midfield organiser Yohan Cabaye made an unexpected switch to Newcastle United.
Widely coveted Belgian winger Eden Hazard remains at the club, however, and Lille moved shrewdly in the transfer market by acquiring like-for-like replacements for his three former team-mates.
Marko Basa, who played under Garcia at Le Mans, will replace Rami in the heart of defence, Dimitri Payet has arrived from Saint-Etienne to take Gervinho’s place on the flanks and Benoit Pedretti will take over playmaking duties from Cabaye after joining from Auxerre.
Garcia
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