After the draw in Reims (1-1) on Saturday evening, frustration spread to the ranks of the Lyon environment. However, at OL, it is more than glimmers of hope that appear over the weeks.
The faces logically did not display big smiles on Saturday evening as they left the Auguste Delaune stadium. Held in check (1-1) by Reimsthe OL players were above all frustrated to come away with only one point from Champagne after having mastered an almost perfect first half with head and shoulders. Almost, because he lacked this offensive efficiency which would have resolved the destiny of this meeting of the 12th day in just 45 minutes. However, OL remained within shooting range of Rémois and were punished as everyone could expect. This is the hard law of high level and learning this regularity over 90 minutes.
Once the disappointment passed, the internal discourse was much more positive. Monday's talk for the return to training was that of a team in progress and not one pointing out the mistakes of returning from the locker room. This subject is clearly not put aside by the staff, but Pierre Sageas usual, wants to build on what has been done well and to Reimsthere were clearly reasons for satisfaction. At a time when Lyon supporters are complaining about losing points along the way, what predominates at OL remains above all the signs of progress.
A game that falls into place every match
When taking stock of the Rhone's last outings, it is clear that OL are not necessarily in their prime. Between Ligue 1 and Europa League, the Lyonnais have only won two matches out of six possible. For a candidate for the podium and a qualification in 8th in Europe, this is clearly not enough. However, the supporters are enjoying watching this team play again. HAS Reimsthe play displayed by Rayan Cherki's teammates during a half was so clean that we wondered if the team present on the pitch was indeed that of OL. It has been a long time since the Lyon team had delivered such a score. It was certainly only for 45 minutes, but the gap between the first outing in Rennes in mid-August and that in Reims is abysmal.
There are several parameters to take into account such as the transfer window, absences, but the progress in the game is there and clearly visible for several matches. “We see possession play, repeated passes. We see individuals coming out of the collective like Rayan. There is reason to make this OL a very good team, assure Enzo Real on the set of 'As Long as There Are Gones'. Now, we expect them over time with a whole match for example.” Being satisfied with progress does not mean no longer being demanding and this is also the message sent by Pierre Sage.
An obligatory frustration before real mastery
Because the gaps are still quite present and prevent us from seeing higher. However, we have seen that time takes its toll on this group and this therefore does not worry Nicolas Puydebois. “The sunny days are coming, we feel it despite the cold outside (laughs). The work done by Pierre Sage and his staff is bearing fruit very clearly. We were talking about the Pierre Sage touch and there, we are starting to find positives, enjoy watching this team.”
This is the paradox of this Lyon team today. Attractive in the game, she is standing still in the rankings. Last season, the control was not there, but the madness allowed OL to overthrow mountains and achieve a crazy comeback with a snatch victory. Which recipe is best? A mix of the two will answer all the supporters, who have eaten their black bread in recent years, regarding the level of the matches.
Points dropped, but a podium still within reach
However, a season is long and the process put in place by Pierre Sage is long-term work. “The championship is a marathon. It's built little by little and the start of the construction was complicated, continues our consultant, former French champion. There are some cool things happening at OL at the moment. We forget that “A year ago, we were last in the championship.” This should not be an excuse for the part-time work carried out by teammates. Lacazette on the latest releases. However, “we can't deny our pleasure at seeing such an attractive OL” and this makes it easier to plan for a future that promises to be sunny.
For the moment sixth, four points off the podium, OL still have a fairly enormous margin for improvement. He “could have 4 more points with Auxerre and Reims, yes, we are frustrated” but by regaining offensive efficiency and resolving the problem of returning from the locker room, who knows where this team could stop? For this to happen, the collective state of mind must remain the same and the winter transfer window must not turn everything upside down. But as a great wise man named Nicolas said Puydebois : “To know where you’re going, you have to know where you come from and it really wasn’t great.”
