Four points in three days, 11th place in the Ligue 1 standings. OL's start to the season is sluggish.
Hanging in Bordeaux (0-0) last Friday, where coach Rudi Garcia mentioned "two lost points", Lyon then lost Tuesday in Montpellier (2-1), again showing poverty in the This is not enough for the moment to claim the podium, or even the title as the Lyonnais suggested before the championship.
And some signs call out: in three meetings, the Lyonnais have scored only once on a playing action, by Memphis Depay against Dijon (4-1), against three penalties and a goal scored against his camp by the Dijonnais Wesley Lautoa.
"We did not play enough to win this match," admitted the Lyon coach in Montpellier.
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Beyond possible debates on arbitration, the problem that remains above all is a game identity to be found with an eleven type yet globally identical, at the present time, to the one who finished last season in 7th place, outside the European places for the first time since 1997. And at home, in 2019-2020, OL were only 15th in the standings but 3rd away, which confirms the difficulties of the team to dominate its subject at Groupama stadium.
This summer, Rudi Garcia had based his organization in 3-5-2 with the guideline of leaving the ball to opponents much stronger than OL.
But in this arrangement, Lyon, which has mainly progressed on the state of mind, won only against Manchester City (3-1) and obtained a draw in front of PSG in a final of the Lost League Cup on penalties (0-0, 5-6 on tabs), for two defeats against Juventus Turin (2-1) and Bayern Munich (3-0).
“
Young people will bring a lot for the future.
They have proven that we can count on them
”
Rudi garcia
However, in the French championship, in order to fight for the podium, he must now play the game against often defensive organizations, as probably against Nîmes.
Garcia is therefore forced to energize his group by integrating fresh blood, with young people in search of playing time. The suspension of the attacking midfielder, Houssem Aouar, after his exclusion in Montpellier, could benefit the young (17) Rayan Cherki, whose entries since the start of the season have been interesting.
It's up to him to take his chance.
Brazilian midfielder Jean Lucas (21) could be converted to the right side if Garcia persists in putting the team in 3-5-2 while on the left, Melvin Bard (19) who has just extended his contract, perhaps an alternative to Maxwel Cornet who gave a lot in August.
“The young people have entered, whether it is Rayan, Melvin or Jean Lucas.
They will bring a lot for the future.
They have proven that we can count on them, "said the Lyon coach after the match in the Hérault, referring to" the dynamism "they brought to a group that lacked.
But these necessary changes can also be part of a game system to be rethought based on possible future developments in the transfer window.
Should Garcia persist in his 3-5-2 or return to a more classic pattern?
The animation of the game remains in any case very insufficient for OL to aim for the podium, the club's minimum objective.
“We don't have time to lament.
We have to take the three points on Friday against Nîmes, it will be very important for the future, ”warns Garcia.
Read also
Calendar and results Ligue 1 2020/2021
Ligue 1 2020/2021 standings
