Kévin Gameiro: Confidence Is Key For Lorient

With four goals and five assists to his name this season, Kévin Gameiro’s contribution to Lorient’s cause has, somehow, managed to slip almost totally underneath the media’s radar, whereas the likes of Fabrice Abriel (pictured) have earned a great deal of credit. An industrious forward, the 21 year-old former Strasbourg man is well on course to better last season’s record of six goals in 34 starts for the Alsace club.

It was a strike from the youngster last weekend which saw an injury-hit Lorient side beat Toulouse 1-0 to record the latest in a series of fine results. Les Merlus have lost only one of their last six games, despite an extremely inclement injury situation and, Gameiro believes, if they can remain confident, the Breton side have a chance of shocking Lille in their forthcoming Ligue 1 match.

"Against Marseille and Toulouse, we had to win, even if it was difficult," he told les Dogues’ official website. "Now we have some momentum and can remain confident for the future. Next we have a very difficult match against Lille.

"They have a squad we must fear. They are a team of very good players who play good football. Moreover, they are very aggressive in their tackling. We will have to meet this."

Lorient have made a habit of pinching smash-and-grab victories and the young forward is hopeful that they can do the same on Saturday. "Lille will probably dominate the match, but I am hopeful that we can win 1-0," he stated. "For me, that would be ideal!"

Chrstian Gourcuff’s side will again go into this fixture missing a catalogue of first team players, including Christophe Jallet, who picked up a knock in last weekend’s Toulouse triumph.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com