Why can Olympique Lyonnais really go down to Ligue 2?

OL are penultimate in Ligue 1. While many followers are still struggling to get ahead of themselves, imagine it, there are reasons to think that relegation is a very real risk for the Lyonnais.

With only two points in six days of the championship, Olympique Lyonnais has had the worst start to the season in its history, at equality with the 1979-80 season. That year, Les Gones finished 18th in Ligue 1 and had to win. compete in the play-offs to maintain themselves. If it is still too early to say that this 2023-24 financial year will be so catastrophic, the season is now well underway and the trend is not to worsen. improving the side of life from Lyon. Deciphering the situation of a legendary club on the edge of the precipice.

A new coach already at the precipice. à the sentence

Last Saturday's match at Brest should have mark the start of a new cycle, a "reset" mental and sporting for the Rhone club. Fabio Grosso made his debut on the OL bench, after the more than predictable ousting of Laurent Blanc. But the Lyonnais delivered; a very dull performance, dominated by Brestois in full confidence who deserved to win. their victory (1-0). It is certain that it will take time to complete. Fabio Grosso to instill a new dynamic and instill his playing principles. But the attitudes of the players, without reference on the field, sometimes resemble that of a player. a true collective abandonment. Some media are also reporting internal tensions, including between players, and the general atmosphere at the club does not seem to be conducive to this. a reaction of pride.

OL deserves its relegated place

The statistics are damning for OL at the start of the season, and clearly show that the club is at the top of its game. its place in the red zone. The Lyonnais are those who run the least and lose the most duels in Ligue 1 this season, as in the previous season. Brest where they won 47 duels for almost twice as many lost (79). The advanced statistics are also alarming. OL has only 6.3 xG (expected goals), the third lowest total in the championship, for 13.8 xGA (expected goals against). s expected), highest total in Ligue 1. Figures close to reality, since the Lyonnais have the worst attack in the championship (3 goals) and the second worst defense (11 goals conceded). They did not score either. than when they were already there. led by at least two goals. In short: physically struggling, with no idea offensively and vulnerable behind, this OL seems incurable.

Old and deep ills

This ankylosis is partly attributable to; the total absence of a game plan or guiding idea under Laurent Blanc, who never stopped asking for experienced and “physical” players; to obtain the same catastrophic results once these recruits are acquired. John Textor, in taking control of the club, should have acknowledge the failure of the Cevenol coach, and enjoy the summer to restart a new cycle by choosing a more “modern” coach. But it's not all Laurent Blanc's fault: he only anesthetized a group that was already in trouble. asleep, and above all impoverished in quality. The departures of many talents (Gusto, Lukeba, Barcola) who were poorly replaced and a cheap transfer window have largely reduced the wealth of the squad, which now has nothing left. 39;a top-of-the-table team. Added to this is incomplete planning, illustrated by the sale for only 3.5 million of Abdoulaye Ndiaye to Troyes, when he was already there. ready to go to take over from Lukeba and that OL is still ready to play. looking for its starters in central defense.

The club is moving forward in the fog

To make matters worse, the extra-sporting situation is more than vague. Sanctioned by the DNCG this summer, no one knows if John Textor will be able or willing to invest during the next transfer windows to renew a sick squad. The power war with Jean-Michel Aulas has ended since his departure from the club, but the economic and sporting management has not been changed. clarified. The new Executive President, Santiago Cucci, has never worked in the field. in the world of sport and looks more like a businessman who wants to a club leader. He is also very discreet in the media, like John Textor, even though OL Groupe risks very big economically in the event of a catastrophic season or even a drop to second place. me division.

Sports management seems to be in the hands of Matthieu Louis-Jean, recruitment director, and Benjamin Charier, recruitment coordinator. They succeeded in achieving this goal. realize beautiful tracks (Mata, Nuamah, Alvero) but have to deal with very limited resources and the absence of guidelines concerning the game project of successive coaches. It will take a generous investment from the new owners to relaunch the machine, but also for the graft to take root quickly with Fabio Grosso, because OL already have the advantage. late and no longer has the luxury of waiting. The urgency is to take points, and the rescue mission begins with a perilous journey to the next level. Reims this Sunday.