Cyrille de la Morinerie with AFP, edited by Philippe Folgado // Photo credit: ARNAUD FINISTRE / AFP
Lille returned to one point off the Ligue 1 podium by winning at the expense of a very weak Lyon team which is heading towards Ligue 2 (2-0), Sunday at Groupama Stadium in the closing match of the 13th day of championship. Losc, who won their sixth success of the season (5 draws, 2 defeats) but are undefeated in the league since their defeat against Reims (2-1) on September 26, are lying in wait at the foot of the podium, fourth at one point. of Monaco (3rd).
Worst start to the season in OL history
The Northerners, serene and superior in all areas, showed realism in the first period. They opened the scoring by Jonathan David, served by Yusuf Yazici to anticipate the exit of Anthony Lopes (27). David had not scored since his two goals in August. Lille brought the score to 2-0 shortly after with a big strike from Tiago Santos from 22 meters after a poor defensive dismissal from Henrique (32nd).
Conversely, OL were unable to capitalize on the rare chances they had through Maxence Caqueret or Ernest Nuamah, whose attempts were stopped by Lucas Chevalier who also intervened in front of Mama Baldé ( 60). This one also sent a header over despite a good position (57th). Ineffective in attack, Lyon is just as effective in defense as in the middle.
This 2023-2024 season is the worst start in the history of Olympique Lyonnais. Seven games without a home win, unheard of, and only seven points on the clock. Historically, three-quarters of teams with just seven points after 13 rounds have been relegated at the end of the season. Especially since the next meetings promise to be very difficult, with trips to Lens, Marseille, Monaco and also the reception in Toulouse.
Lyon needs an electric shock
To save themselves, the Lyonnais will have to show something completely different, as one of the great former OL players, Laurent Fournier, confirms: “We have the impression that there is not a typical team that stands out, that the players have enormous doubts. We saw it with players like Cherki, Lacazette or even Tolisso. There are quite a few clans in this team. And the change of coach did not succeed in bringing Lyon back into the middle of the rankings.
But there is still hope for the team coached by Fabio Grosso. According to statistics, OL still have a one in four chance of remaining in Ligue 1, as confirmed by Laurent Fournier who takes the example of Saint-Étienne. In 1988, the Greens waited until the 14th day to win their first match and they finished in 14th place in the championship: “They have to hang on. Now, it’s also up to the players to take care of themselves to get out of it. In 1988, it was the cohesion and the players who realized that the club was in difficulty. With Saint-Étienne, we still managed to go 12 matches without defeat in the second half of the championship.”
In the meantime, Lyon needs an electric shock. Captain Alexandre Lacazette and midfielder Corentin Tolisso could be sold during the Christmas break, assures the newspaper Progress. Coach Bruno Genesio, back in the Lyon region after his Breton experience in Rennes, also has the ideal profile to replace Fabio Grosso.