Special envoy to Lisbon
Who would've believed that ? If PSG is in its place in the last four of the Champions League, like Bayern Munich, OL is a surprise guest, like RB Leipzig. A surprise that does not however fall from the sky. Focus on the five keys to the success of Les Gones.
Rudi Garcia's inspirations ...
After the Sylvinho parenthesis at the start of the season, Rudi Garcia began his mandate on the Lyon bench last November and under the sign of mistrust, him the former coach of the Marseille rival. OL's current success nevertheless bears its stamp. “Personal satisfaction? I'm not in there at all, ”he promises. The 56-year-old technician would however have reasons to be proud. He was first able to give back a taste for work to a group that sometimes let itself go. He then relaunched some players (Marcelo), placed others in new positions (Cornet), trusted new children (Caqueret). All without hesitating to put some executives on the bench, such as Moussa Dembélé, double scorer on Saturday against City (3-1). Garcia is also this solid 3-5-2, cut out for the feat against big fish. Almost flawless so far for him.
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… And from Juninho
He was expected as the Messiah. Juninho is finally back at OL, to the delight of the people of Lyon. After a mixed first summer - to put it mildly - in business, the new sports director has brought his personal touch to the workforce (Guimaraes, Toko Ekambi). Add that to a workforce that already had high-level players in its ranks (Memphis, Aouar, Lopes…), and you get a complete and complementary group on paper. “Juni” is also a speech. He had not hesitated to scoff at the lack of leadership and the failing mentality within the group when he arrived. Harsh but fair. Like Sunday, when he smashed the preparation for the start of the season, or explained that Aouar was not always as diligent as he should have been at work, like other members of the group elsewhere. If you go looking for trouble you'll find it.
Training Time for the Lyonnais. # UCLpic.twitter.com / zMNkPdbDVe
- Christophe Remise (@ CRemise77) August 16, 2020A physical preparation that bears fruit
Clearly, Olympique Lyonnais is not struggling in terms of physical condition and pace. However, we could be worried, after long months of hiatus ... Especially in the face of opponents who were at the end of their championship. Like Juventus. Like Manchester City. “We adapted to the stop of Ligue 1 and we did two months of preparation. It's huge, Garcia points out. Our physical trainer prepared this wonderfully. And another thing, the head guides the legs. When we lead 1-0, then 2-1 against City, the players are able to find unsuspected resources. " We will quickly have to recharge the batteries because the half against Bayern arrives quickly, Wednesday (9 p.m.).
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A spirit of warriors, a united group
The quality of the workforce has never been a problem in Lyon. The mentality, yes… That was before. Discipline, solidarity and aggressiveness are now the mantras of this group, on mission since the recovery and in Lisbon. Symbol of this state of mind, it is Moussa Dembélé who delivered Lyon on Saturday, against the Skyblues. Despite the disappointment of getting off the bench, as against Juventus, the former Parisian did not have a qualm. “After this break (linked to the virus), we made a promise. The state of mind of the group has changed, ”he notes. “We are very united, very united before these big matches, with a lot of humility and confidence,” insists Houssem Aouar. “There was no soul, notes Juninho, during a press briefing. There was no problem internally, but we didn't feel the collective soul that the supporters are asking for. It's the difference, with the pace of training that has increased, the awareness of the attackers that must also be defended. They are simple things. ”
The gods of football with OL
It must be recognized that the gods of football are visibly on the Lyon side. Simple observation, nothing insulting, disdainful. On Saturday, OL could for example have seen the 2-1 goal refused if the referee had been in bad luck. Above all, Rasheem Sterling missed the unmissable in the previous minute, alone against the empty goal within six meters. Incredible… Moreover, the format of this “Final 8” is conducive to exploits, to “little ones”. Eliminating a team that is superior to you is less hard in one game than in two. You still have to know how to seize your chance. OL did it.
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