Valenciennes vs Lyon : trouble, trouble

After what has to be the worst OL game this season (vs Evian, 0-0), Lyon now travel north to meet one of the teams they fare the worst against: Valenciennes (not once in their last four encounters did Lyon manage to win). Now is a good time for a euphemism: Lyon could be in a better situation.

Granted, Lyon are still at the top of L1, only second to PSG due to a lower point difference. But with only two wins in the last 6 games, it is obvious Lyon lost pace, therefore losing ground and loosing faith in their strength.
The defense, who displayed a welcome strength since the beginning of the season, started showing complacency and lack of discipline (4 goals conceded in the last 3 games), like when the amateurs of Epinal kicked us out of Coupe de France and couldn’t believe how easy it was to come unmarked and score from a cornerkick; and as if this wasn’t enough, the traditional offense is sterile, and the last 3 goals have been scored by Fofana, Gonalons and Umtiti. Quite telling.
Some players lost the stamina and efficience that helped Lyon propel themselves atop L1; Gomis started being transparent most of the last games; Lisandro, the shadow of his former self, started doubting. Rejecting the armband to focus on himself, he is said to have complained about his position (he wants to play as the peak, which Garde normally grants to Gomis) , and talked about leaving if he doesn’t get satisfaction. And, even worse for Lyon’s effectiveness, Malbranque’s form dropped, and Gourcuff, just back like Grenier, are far from their best. The same holds for Lacazette, so that few players actually maintain a high standard.

This, plus the transfer talks and Aulas insisting on several players leaving this winter (most probably Bastos, possibly Lisandro, Gomis, Gourcuff, Briand), instilled doubt and unsettled the team. So will the same Lyon as in the first half season show up tonight? Will they display the right mindset? I cross fingers.

Allez l’OL!

Lyon :
Vercoutre – Réveillère, Bisevac, Lovren, Umtiti – Gonalons, Fofana – Lacazette, Malbranque, Ghezzal – Lisandro.

Valenciennes :
Penneteau – G. Bong, Rose, Isimat-Mirin, Mater – Nguette, R. Gomis, Sankharé, M. Dossevi – Le Tallec, Aboubakar.

Some Related Lyon Posts:

Category: Team News and Rumors