Lyon (AFP)

"No more room to lament": OL coach Rudi Garcia evokes players "frustrated" by the draw against Dijon (0-0) and defeat at Benfica (2-1) and considers the victory "imperative "Saturday against Metz (20H00) to finally launch his mandate at the controls of Lyon.

"It is normal that we are worried, we are ranked 17th, it is the least of things," says the technician, who tries to share his enthusiasm while his team remains in eight games without a win in the league.

Review of the hot spots that drive the days of the Rhone coach at the head of his new workforce.

. OL still at half-time

"We would be well-intentioned to deliver a full match against Metz," said Rudi Garcia.

This is not new indeed, the Lyon team is used, like last season, to play only one period out of two. This is not denied since the inauguration of the former Marseille coach who is not, therefore, better than Bruno Genesio or Sylvinho.

Against Dijon and Benfica in the Champions League, OL waited halftime to be determined and take the game on his own. Without being able to win.

"I see more signs of a more convalescent team than a sick person who is not far away, if it turns success, to win a match, but it will take from the first seconds against Metz and until the end, be able to show what we did in the second half against Dijon and Benfica, "argues Garcia.

. Leaders to find

The sports director, Juninho, has repeatedly stressed since taking office the "lack of leaders" in the workforce.

Memphis Depay must be captain against Metz. After Marcelo and Anthony Lopes, it will already be the third to wear the armband since the arrival of Garcia, a sign that no one emerges.

It even takes four captains for three months of the season with Jason Denayer, who was chosen by Sylvinho ...

But Rudi Garcia spoke Friday at a press conference a meeting held Thursday, between leaders. Which ? He did not answer.

But he wanted to be reassuring: "We see real men, those who have character and those who can pull others up who do everything to force success in difficult times.I come and discover the group, it's frankly interesting and quite exciting, "he slipped.

. A rhythm to manage

Since his arrival, Rudi Garcia has had no opportunity to work in-depth on specific game principles. The first week, the internationals were absent and since then the team plays twice a week.

"I can not wait to be at the end of the match against Metz with three more points and a win, but next week will be finally complete with everyone to work on the sequence of very important matches that come next," commented Garcia.

After Metz, Lyon will have to play in Toulouse. And then it will be worse, with the reception of Benfica, followed by a special trip for the coach in Marseille, his former club. With each of these meetings, progress required.

© 2019 AFP