a defensive imbalance that must be accepted?

Clinton Mata, Duje Caleta-Car and Lucas Perri during OL – Strasbourg (Photo by Cyril Lestage / Cyril Lestage / DPPI via AFP)

OL made their mark against Frankfurt (3-2). However, certain situations in the defensive sector may raise questions.

OL's success against Frankfurt (3-2) was rightly praised by all the media and Lyon supporters. The small downside during this meeting was the defensive sector which still has room for improvement. However, given the current squad and the playing philosophy advocated by Pierre Sageshould we accept that there is this famous defensive imbalance? “We must accept it and avoid suffering itthe OL coach responds point-for-tat. We must both consider that we leave much less position under the ball when we are in high possession and we must also anticipate the fact that our opponents are capable of gaining speed. A bit like what Frankfurt did very well.“

“Accept it and avoid suffering it”

And to continue his argument: “I think we were quite efficient in preventive marking and counter-pressing in order to prevent them from attacking the depth every time as they did in many matches this season.” That said, the performance performed Thursday evening by Duje Caleta-Car calls on a player often established within the central hinge. “If we progress our match based on the simple first goal we take, yes, we have a performance that is not up to what he is capable of doing”admits Pierre without batting an eyelid Sage.

Wise nuance for Caleta-Car

As a good manager, the OL technician asks the external environment to qualify his judgment regarding an experienced player in his group. “In his match, there were things that were good. That's why it's always difficult to put the spotlight on 15 or 30 seconds of the match and to isolate this action (that of the first Frankfurt goal, Editor's note) to evaluate a player”, insists Pierre Sage. “In the same way that it’s unfair, I think, to evaluate a player when he does good things just over 15, 20 minutes of a match”he adds. We will have understood, OL do not intend to get carried away with a defensive imbalance which is an integral part of the equation.