A single defeat and a series of unbeaten sixteen games at the halfway point.
This series is even the most beautiful since the sumptuous 2004-2005 season (21 games), concluded by the fourth title of champion of France of Lyon on the seven obtained.
Since this Saturday, OL have been a solid fall champion.
An honorary title that the club of President Jean-Michel Aulas had not won for twelve years.
The air of nothing, leaving the pressure to PSG and the reputation of a good game in Lille, the Lyonnais are making their way.
Not always flamboyant but without ever giving up, like his return in three minutes on Saturday in Rennes (2-2), OL no longer feared to display their ambition.
No, he is not there to hang on to the PSG jersey as long as possible but wants, on the contrary, to win the eighth title in its history.
And many are starting to take the Lyonnais very seriously.
So, Lyon, leader at mid-championship, can he keep up?
YES
Philippe Violeau, 1996 French champion with Auxerre, 2002, 2003 and 2004 with OL.
“The Lyonnais can go the distance.
There is a good balance in this team and the depth of the bench seems more provided to me than in previous seasons, especially with the possibilities of interesting changes in the middle and in attack.
In previous years, OL lost a lot of energy in the Champions League.
There, unless there is a big trip in the Coupe de France, it will be easier.
Their main asset is obviously Memphis Depay, but we shouldn't be dependent on him alone.
Even if he reminds me of Sonny Anderson who, in my time, often made the decisive gesture, unblocked situations and made things easier for us.
He is in any case an essential player in Lyon as are Neymar or Mbappé at PSG.
"
Olivier Rouyer, former international.
“I see Lyon hold on to the end, especially because of their calendar without the European Cup.
Rudi Garcia has found a balance in his team.
Admittedly, she sometimes concedes a lot of goals but always has the mental recipes to come back.
Which says a lot about his confidence.
We feel that this team wants to go to the end and is not aiming for second place.
She assumes her ambitions.
If it remains calm and serene, and ends the month of January always in the lead, there, it will be necessary to be strong to dislodge it.
"
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NO
Rolland Courbis, 1972 French champion with OM, 1978 and 1982 with Monaco.
“Lyon has the perfect level to be… vice-champion.
I've been saying this since the end of July and I'm not going to change my mind.
I'm sorry but you have to be clear-headed: this PSG accumulates stupidities, especially in its team compositions and its players used anyhow like Danilo or Mbappé.
And despite all these approximations, Paris is only one point away from OL.
This means that this tiny PSG is at the same level as this great Lyon.
So, as soon as Paris will raise its level, it will come back to the front.
I also note that, since the resumption, Lyon has conceded two goals per game.
This is not how he will be champion.
"
WHY NOT
Luis Fernandez, 1986 French champion with PSG.
“Lyon still suffered in Rennes but has important assets.
Depay of course, who knows he will go free in June and that if he is the man who offered Lyon his eighth title, it will be very interesting for him.
At his side, I find Kadewere and Toko-Ekambi getting better and better.
In the middle, Paqueta is a huge plus, like Thiago Mendes who finds his level in Lille.
Confidence is there, especially since the semi-final in the Champions League
(Editor's note: lost 0-3 against Bayern)
gave real strength to this group.
I do not know if Lyon will be champion but, at least, thanks to him, there is finally suspense in Ligue 1 and it is pleasant.
"
