On Sunday, OL had all the difficulty in the world to maneuver the compact block of Auxerre (2-2). Like a month ago against Toulouse, the Lyon machine seemed to be stalled due in particular to a large turnover.
Frustrating. In the space of a week and two matches, this feeling of frustration is the one that has taken possession of Lyon's heads. We were waiting for the OL players at the turn with the receptions of Besiktas andAuxerre and finally, it is a feeling of waste that predominates this Monday. If the thesis of an accident had been established after the setback in the Europa League, the draw (2-2) in Ligue 1 is almost more problematic. Of the two matches of the week, if one had to be won, it was the one against AJA. With the results of the weekend, the Lyonnais had the opportunity to return to the Top 5 for the first time in 73 days and to return to a point of Lille before visiting him on Friday (9 p.m.).
Ultimately, OL remained in 7th place, still within striking distance of the podium, but nevertheless let slip two points that were holding out their arms. Sunday, after the meeting, Pierre Sage pointed out a certain passivity and “a lack of intensity to destabilize the Auxerre block”. Did the Lyonnais have a bad match? Like three days before, the content is not catastrophic, but it clearly lacked a little spark to make the difference.
Sage: “We won players this (Sunday) evening”
However, without this twist of fate on AJA's second equalizer, OL would certainly have been able to collect three additional points and continue their series of victories in Ligue 1. This would also have validated Pierre's choices Sage. Because, after this draw, they are inevitably in the viewfinder. Following a first turnover Thursday against Besiktasthe Lyon coach had chosen to change quite a few things for this 9th day of the championship. Six changes compared to the eleven in Europe and executives like Alexandre LacazetteCorentin Tolisso or even Clinton Eyeleft on the bench or in the stands.
The need to breathe was largely explained before the match and a victory would not have called these choices into question. Having done quite a bit of training and under suspension for the derby, Tolisso stayed warm for 90 minutes. Alexander Lacazette He only played 20 minutes and saw his competitor, Georges Mikautadze, score a double. On paper, the turnover was beneficial and, moreover, Pierre Sage assume this decision. “I don't regret having started this turnover because we saw players who are performing well even though they play little. We gained players this (Sunday) evening for the next match and that seems important to me that a form of competition is established so that everyone can have their card to play.”
Executives who have no reliable replacements?
In his desire to consider everyone, the Lyon coach does not want to leave anyone on the sidelines. This is to his credit, but there is also an accounting matter to take into account and it is this which serves as Sage's CV to his boss. When things go less well, it is he and he alone who could pay the price for this bad situation. It was also thought that the porridge returned to Toulouse a month ago could have served as a lesson. It is clear that no.
Was it this excessive turnover that prevented OL from signing a fourth victory in a row? To listen to Pierre Sageno, since this squad review allowed players like “Mikautadze, Kumbedi and Tessmann to show that they can play other matches and deserve it.” However, if individually, some scored points, we cannot say that collectively, the Sunday outing was a success. However, by aligning Mikautadze with Benrahma notably, the technician had nevertheless relied on these “natural associations that work on and off the field”. The result was much more interesting than against Toulouse and paradoxically, the trip to the Pink City ended with three points in the bag.
Wise prisoner of his plethoric workforce?
On Sunday, two points were lost due to a machine that was not necessarily well-oiled, particularly on its offensive side. With a trio Matic – Tessmann – Veretout far from being creative at heart, OL lacked inventiveness and this is today the limit of this squad. When Peter Sage made the choice to do without Rayan Cherkino one has the profile to replace the international Espoirs, who has shown some problems over the last two matches. Tolisso has recently shown his ability to attack space to create openings. A lack against Auxerre what his coach pointed out. “We had possession on their block, but we had difficulty playing behind them.”
Too much change kills change’OLbut reading the Rhone eleven lined up on Sunday afternoon, the Lyonnais had more than the qualities to take the upper hand over Auxerre. What if the problem was elsewhere? The coach implied this by pointing “a lack of intensity and a certain passivity”. We did not have any behavioral problems like against Toulouse, but once again, the players did not “didn't do the right thing” until the end. Enough to completely call into question Sage's desire to operate? With his bloated workforce, the former deputy of Red Star unfortunately finds itself the prisoner of a failed sports policy during the summer. But it's up to him to find the right balance in order to successfully juggle egos and sporting results…
