the enigmatic exit of Alexandre Lacazette on his future

Upon his return to Olympique Lyonnais in 2022, Alexandre Lacazette quickly showed everyone that Les Gones had not made a mistake in repatriating him after a few years at Arsenal. The General scored a string of goals (31 in all competitions) and even tickled Kylian Mbappé to the end, who was top scorer in our beloved Ligue 1. Last year, the 33-year-old striker made his debut a little more complicated, like his team. But the arrival of Pierre Sage on the Rhone bench changed his season (22 goals in all competitions) and that of his team. While he hesitated for a while before joining Saudi Arabia during the summer transfer window, “Lacaz” stayed to honor his last year of contract.

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But during this 2024-25 financial year, the former Arsenal player is having difficulty adjusting his sights. In the championship, he was silent during 6 matches before finding the net against HAC on October 20. Then, he again went 2 matches without scoring. Something to worry about in Lyon, where he is Pierre Sage's number one offensive asset. A coach who was able to count on his captain in the Europa League since he scored 3 goals in 4 appearances. The last one was on Thursday. It was during the very frustrating draw against Hoffenheim (2-2). And it did good to Alexandre Lacazette, who had been chosen by OL to speak to the press on Friday two days before the derby.

Lacazette scored in his first derby at Groupama Stadium

“It feels good to score. I know I get criticized quite a bit for my stats. This goal feels good, but it hasn't revolutionized my confidence either. I know I can do better and that I have been worse in the past. I don't feel so tired, contrary to what some people say. As long as the coach puts me on the pitch, I will try to give my best. Last season I started badly and was criticized in the same way. I know it's up to me to work. I read everything that is said about me and the team. He must therefore have read that he was eagerly awaited on Sunday evening against ASSE. And the General, who admitted that he was very motivated by the idea of ​​playing in this clash, responded perfectly on the pitch since he opened the scoring in the 29th minute of play.

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The opportunity also for him to improve his statistics. Stats Foot revealed that with 6 goals, he is the top scorer in the derby in the 21st century and the third top scorer for OL against ASSE in official competitions. Lacazette also has the distinction of having become the only player to have scored at Gerland, at Groupama Stadium as well as at Geoffroy-Guichard during a derby. In the second half, the French striker tried to help his team, but he was too fair sometimes. He was applauded and congratulated by the supporters when he left in the 79th minute, he who was replaced by Georges Mikautadze. After the match, Lacazette, who was elected man of the match by the FM Editorial team with a score of 7.5, spoke at the microphone of DAZN.

A future to settle

It was especially the heart because it was my first derby at Groupama and surely the last here, so it was the heart that spoke. “I soaked up all the energy. Having the supporters yesterday was great, and I had confidence in the group that we would win tonight. I liked the supporters yesterday. Often, that's when you learn from great scorers, like when I was younger. Often, we say that when you can score, you win and today, I scored. It's not the prettiest, but I'll take it. I anticipate because I know that Tolisso is not the king of the return. I knew he wasn't going to take it perfectly and behind it, it goes quickly. When the rebound comes, I pick up a little speed and try to follow it so that it goes over the goalkeeper. »

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He added: “It’s better that Saint-Étienne is in Ligue 1, it’s better to have the derby. There are two games left in the season that the supporters and we like, so it’s better that they are in Ligue 1.” Then, in the mixed zone, he was relaunched regarding his declaration on his possible last derby, he whose contract with OL will end on June 30, 2025. “It would be good (to play other OL-ASSE, editor’s note). But now is really not the time to talk about it. Like I said, I’m going to enjoy the victory.” But he will have to start looking at his future and discussing with his leaders, including John Textor. The American spoke about him in the mixed zone. “Yes, someone told me that it was his first derby at Parc OL. It's true ? Yes ? The General, you know, it was written that he was going to score in this match. I don't know if he hit it from the knee, from the thigh, from the belly button, but, you know, he knows the right body part to put on the ball at the right time. And it was a goal, so much the better”. A goal that is worth a lot today for OL!