Is Lyon making a comeback? If not to the dazzling heights of their record-breaking title run, are they at least resembling the team that took Ligue 1 by storm in the latter half of last season, transforming from relegation candidates to a sixth-place finish? In the initial stages, their summer transfer window appeared riddled with missteps, with Saïd Benrahma, Georges Mikautadze, and Moussa Niakhaté struggling to find their form, collectively costing nearly €70m. Left-back Abner, who wasn't exactly a bargain from Real Betis, also seemed out of his depth, and Rayan Cherki, despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain and abroad, was left out of the squad after initially refusing to sign a new contract. Adding to their woes, Alexandre Lacazette, the seasoned veteran, was unusually off-target, likely fatigued from his Olympic commitments, making the situation dire, especially with European competition looming and rivals Monaco and Marseille in top form.
However, a month can make a significant difference. After defeating a hapless Le Havre on Sunday, Lyon has now secured five consecutive victories across all competitions. While the domestic opposition hasn't been the strongest, their Europa League wins at home against Olympiakos and away against Rangers have been statements of intent, despite some early jitters at Ibrox. The turning point of this impressive streak was a frustrating home loss where Marseille, playing with 10 men for 90 minutes, still managed a 3-2 victory. Since then, Mikautadze and Benrahma have mostly been benched, with Malick Fofana and Cherki taking the reins. The latter, having extended his contract to 2026, has regained Pierre Sage's favor.
Both youngsters have been in stellar form, with Cherki contributing a goal and three assists, and Fofana adding four goals and an assist. For Fofana, still only 19, this showcases his immense talent, having surpassed Benrahma. It also reflects Sage's commitment to not over-relying on veteran players, possibly wary of how Lacazette's slow start affected their top-four aspirations. As for Cherki, the question remains whether he can sustain this level of performance. In previous seasons, Ernest Nuamah and Bradley Barcola often kept him out of the lineup, with various managers unsure of his best position and his dedication to both his personal development and the club, hinting that interest from bigger clubs might have distracted him. Now, with Sage's faith and renewed confidence, he has the trust of his teammates and appears poised to fulfill his potential.
Fofana's stellar form earned him a senior call-up for Belgium and helped Lacazette break his scoring drought, first in Europe with a brace against Rangers, with Fofana assisting his first goal, and then again in the league on Sunday. Post-match, Lacazette praised Cherki, stating, “It feels great to finally score in Ligue 1. I knew it was coming; I just needed that finishing touch. Rayan warned me I would score this weekend, and thanks to him for that fabulous pass.” Although they have recently excelled in a 4-3-3 formation, Fofana and Cherki, along with either Nuamah or Benrahma, could potentially operate in a hyper-attacking 4-2-3-1 once Nemanja Matic returns from injury, with Cherki playing centrally as a playmaker. While this formation might leave Lyon vulnerable defensively, it provides Sage with a tactical ace should he need to respond to a deficit or break down a stubborn opponent.
Furthermore, Abner's improving form, recently earning his first cap for Brazil, suggests a significant cohesion within Lyon's ranks, ending the weekend just a point off fourth place despite sitting in seventh. However, not all is perfect: goalkeeper Lucas Perri has often looked out of his depth, even during this winning streak, and Mikautadze, with his undeniable talent, shouldn't be entirely sidelined. Niakhaté, though performing well against Le Havre, has much to prove to justify his hefty price tag, especially as he approaches 29 by season's end. Overall, the signs are promising for Lyon, making them, if not title contenders, at least more likely to vie for a Champions League return.
Meanwhile, Montpellier, mentioned as circling the drain a few weeks ago, now appears closer to sinking after a 5-0 loss to Marseille. Roberto De Zerbi's side showcased their attacking prowess, and despite finishing with 10 men, Montpellier's situation looks dire, sitting at the bottom of the table below winless Angers. The match marked the end for Michel Der Zakarian, who didn't even get to fulfill his post-match media duties, with club president Laurent Nicollin announcing the manager's sacking live on air. Auxerre, the only team Montpellier has beaten this season, has slightly pulled away from the relegation battle with a win over Reims, who had started strong. Hamed Traorè, the Ivorian winger, has been the hero, scoring three goals in four matches and potentially the difference between safety and relegation after failing to settle at Bournemouth.
Finally, could this be the end for Julien Stéphan at Rennes? The loss of Leo Østigård over the international break was a significant blow, and they struggled to create chances against a Brest side missing key defenders. With only two wins from eight matches, they languish in 13th, far from the expectations set by an €80m summer outlay.
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