Pierre Sage had warned on Sunday evening.
“A reference match is only if it’s the first in a series and if it’s the starting point of something.
» It is now official, the success obtained against rival Marseille at home (1-0) was not an empty shell.
OL made it through this Wednesday evening, managing to eliminate Losc, 4th in Ligue 1, from the Coupe de France.
A wind of hope in form and substance.
Les Gones' priority this season, at least at the moment, is not the Cup.
No one will be mistaken.
Lyon remains 15th in Ligue 1, three points from the relegation zone.
Nevertheless, this evening brings out some promises.
As against OM, there was the right attitude, the right commitment, and above all no air gaps.
The Northerners of Paulo Fonseca, masters of the ball, stumbled on a coherent block, capable of projecting themselves very quickly on the counterattack.
Result, a logical defeat, for lack of having pressed after the reduction of the score (2-1, 53rd).
Gift Orban, a seductive arrow
Despite five changes in their eleven, OL were able to maintain their playing principles and showed rare serenity this season.
Lacazette on the bench, it was recruit Gift Orban (13 million euros from La Gantoise) who occupied the forefront of the attack and showed his speed.
A choice that paid off in the 40th minute at the end of a sublime movement.
Three laser passes in one touch of the ball and at the end, a rush perfectly negotiated by the 21-year-old Nigerian, who scored his first goal in his new colors.
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At the other end of the field, Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri also showed a convincing face.
Preferred over Anthony Lopes for the Cup, and destined to replace him in the medium term, the ex from Botafogo made two solid interventions at close range in the first act.
“We are going to wage war on everyone,” promises Cherki
In terms of good news, the winter recruits were not the only ones to shine.
The too often intermittent showman Ryan Cherki also seduced.
Passer then scorer, the International Espoir gave up his place at the hour mark, the feeling of duty accomplished.
Even if he would have preferred to prolong the pleasure a little no doubt, he gave the best answer after remaining on the sidelines three days earlier.
His expression under the bar to make the break speaks for itself.
“With the team, we were keen to give everything and stay on the same bases as against Marseille,” said the person concerned at the microphone of beIN Sports.
Now there are still plenty of matches.
We are not going to calculate whether we are close or far from the final.
We are going to wage war on everyone, we are going to recover the maximum points in the championship and win as many matches as possible in the Coupe de France.
»
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Be careful, therefore.
These signs of improvement, materialized by the congratulations of President John Textor on the pitch at the final whistle, still deserve confirmation.
In view of the months of storm still in everyone's minds, nothing is certain in the Rhône.
Next meeting on the Montpellier lawn Sunday afternoon.
A match against a direct competitor (13th, same number of points).
And without any hesitation the most important of the week.