In the ever-competitive world of French football, few clubs boast a more storied history than Olympique Lyonnais. Winners of seven straight Ligue 1 titles in the 2000s, Lyon established itself as a powerhouse both domestically and in Europe. However, recent years have seen the club fall on harder times, struggling to keep pace with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco. But now, after a string of impressive performances and the emergence of two young stars, whispers are growing louder: could Lyon be back?
The Catalyst: A Galling Defeat
Ironically, the turning point in Lyon’s season came not in a moment of triumph, but in a bitter defeat. Playing at home against rivals Marseille, Lyon found themselves up a man for the full 90 minutes after an early red card. Yet somehow, they contrived to lose 3-2, a result that left fans and pundits alike stunned. It was a wake-up call, a stark reminder that talent alone is not enough in this unforgiving league.
Sage’s Faith in Youth
In the aftermath of that Marseille debacle, manager Pierre Sage made a bold decision. Rather than continuing to rely on underperforming veterans like Saïd Benrahma and Georges Mikautadze, he turned to two of the club’s most promising youngsters: Rayan Cherki and Malick Fofana. It was a gamble, but one that has paid off handsomely.
Cherki, still just 19, has long been heralded as a future superstar. Blessed with sublime technical skills and a cerebral understanding of the game, he has often been compared to French legend Zinedine Zidane. Yet questions persisted about his maturity and commitment, especially after he initially refused to sign a contract extension over the summer. Sage, however, never lost faith. He welcomed Cherki back into the fold after the youngster put pen to paper on a new deal until 2026, and has reaped the rewards since.
“Rayan had warned me that I would score my first goal this weekend, and thanks to him for this fabulous ball.”
Alexandre Lacazette on Cherki’s assist against Le Havre
As for Fofana, the Belgian midfielder has been nothing short of a revelation. Still just 19 himself, he has seized his opportunity with both hands, scoring 4 goals and notching an assist during Lyon’s five-game winning run. His form even earned him a first senior call-up for Belgium, a sign of just how highly he is regarded.
Tactical Flexibility
Sage deserves immense credit not just for trusting in youth, but for molding his tactics to fit their strengths. In recent weeks, Lyon has lined up primarily in a fluid 4-3-3 formation, with Cherki and Fofana given the freedom to interchange and create. The results speak for themselves: 13 goals scored and just 3 conceded across their last 5 matches in all competitions.
There is also a tantalizing possibility of Sage deploying a hyper-attacking 4-2-3-1 shape once stalwart midfielder Nemanja Matic returns from injury. In this setup, Cherki would slide into the central playmaking role behind the striker, with Fofana and one of Ernest Nuamah or Benrahma flanking him. It’s an enticing thought for Lyon fans, who are starting to dream of their attack terrorizing Ligue 1 defenses once more.
Reasons for Optimism
The last truly great Lyon team was built around academy products like Karim Benzema, Hatem Ben Arfa, and Sidney Govou. In Cherki, Fofana, and the rapidly improving left-back Abner, Lyon may have unearthed their next golden generation. The Brazilian defender, signed from Real Betis over the summer, even earned his first senior cap for the Seleção recently, another feather in the cap for Lyon’s scouting department.
- Rayan Cherki: 1 goal, 3 assists in last 5 matches
- Malick Fofana: 4 goals, 1 assist in last 5 matches
- Abner: 1st senior Brazil cap in November
Of course, it’s still early days. Lyon sit 7th in the table, and though they are just a point off the top four, the likes of PSG, Lens, and Marseille have a bit more quality and experience. There are also still some kinks to iron out, most notably in goal, where Portuguese import Lucas Perri has looked shaky at times.
“We’re not getting carried away. We know there’s a lot of work still to do. But the talent is there, the belief is there. We’re on the right track.”
A source close to the Lyon dressing room
But after so many years in the wilderness, Lyon fans can be forgiven for starting to believe again. With Cherki and Fofana leading the charge, with the passionate Sage pulling the strings from the dugout, Les Gones look poised to make some serious noise in the second half of the season. A return to the Champions League, and perhaps even a first Ligue 1 title since 2008, no longer seems like an impossible dream.
Are Lyon back? Not quite yet, perhaps. But on current form, it may not be long before they are once again dining at French football’s top table. And that sound you hear? That’s the rest of Ligue 1 shifting uneasily in their seats.
