Ligue 1: how Lyon metamorphosed before its shock against PSG

Doctor OL and Mister Lyon. The Lyon club was at the bottom of the chasm 10 days ago, unable to beat but above all to dominate, in the game, Amiens (0-0) and Strasbourg (1-1) at home during this month of February . Nothing. Nothingness. "We were really tough," concedes Bernard Lacombe, former adviser to President Aulas, now retired. “We were on the razor's edge, we didn't know which way we could fall. We could fall on the wrong side, ”readily admits Jean-Michel Aulas.

Lyon had just taken two points out of twelve in Ligue 1. The podium was moving away tirelessly. Worse, the team seemed without solution, without idea, without soul. "There is an emergency," said Anthony Lopes, disillusioned. We are OL. We can't offer that. "In Metz, 10 days ago, Rudi Garcia changed the system, going into 3-4-3. With strong choices in recent weeks. Exit the two most expensive recruits of last summer (with Jeff Reine-Adelaide injured) Thiago Mendes (22 million euros) and Joachim Andersen (24 million euros), very disappointing since their arrival in Lyon. They had their chance, for a long time… without success for the moment.

Solidity, momentum and enthusiasm

Garcia notably relies once again on Marcelo, once again unavoidable in the central hinge and launches into the deep end in midfield Bruno Guimarães. The young Brazilian, 22, only arrived in Lyon in mid-February. Torn from the nose and beard of Atlético de Madrid by Juninho, the sports director, he had never played in Europe. The adaptation time, he does not know. After a promising first match in Metz (2-0 success), he was excellent against Juve (1-0) and against Saint-Etienne (2-0) Sunday evening. Sentry. With a good vision of the game. He plays fair. " It's a delight. He is extraordinary ”, confides, admiring, Anthony Lopes.

In his wake, all his teammates have found solidity (0 goal conceded in 3 games), momentum, enthusiasm. Like one of his midfielder friends, Houssem Aouar, more liberated with Guimarães by his side. But what is the secret? Why is it so much better all of a sudden? "Since I am in Lyon, when the end of the season arrives, we all realize the imperatives, it unites us, analyzes Lucas Tousart, striker against Juve. The end of the season is coming quickly, we have to meet the objectives, we have no choice. "

OL are used to the end of the gun season. But also inconstancy. “We must not hide. What has been problematic for us in Lyon for years is the irregularity, admits Tousart. It is only by renewing these performances that we will achieve our objectives. Because Lyon is far away. The podium is still at a distance (7 points). And OL, still involved in all competitions, leaves a lot of strength on the way. And will quickly lack freshness. It could count as early as Wednesday in the semi-final of the Coupe de France. But at least OL have become a team again. A real collective. A team capable, at home, of making Juve doubt. And why not Wednesday against PSG? What seemed impossible 10 days ago is no longer possible.