From our special correspondent in Lisbon,
The stat is monstrous and it should be appreciated at its fair value: for the first time since 1997, Olympique Lyonnais, defeated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final, will not play any European competition in the year. next. This Final 8, which also served as the Intertoto Cup for Rudi Garcia's players, was Lyon's last hope to play the 2020-21 C1. White cabbage, then. But respect for everything.
If the Lyonnais are "proud" of their career, says Anthony Lopes after the defeat, marked by major successes against Juventus and Manchester City, they must quickly recover from this failure full of panache. Ligue 1 is tomorrow. And OL have learned the lesson well: in order not to miss the European qualifying for the second time in a row, it will be necessary to be efficient from the start of the season. Lopes, always:
“We are not going to let go of what we have managed to create. We will keep everything that has been done well. We want to show a beautiful face next season, as we did in these three games. This is the mentality that is needed for the future. Combativeness, seriousness… If we continue like this… (we can), we can have a great championship. "
Playing in L1 like in Europe, not easy
This group understood that the European reconquest will go through an application and a level C1 involvement in Ligue 1. Toko Ekambi: “we must keep the same state of mind, regardless of the opponent in front. We won't play teams like Bayern every day, but we have to take everyone seriously. “Juninho illustrates the words of his players with a comparison that is not necessarily flattering for those concerned, but we understand the idea. “We must respect all the teams in Ligue 1, Nîmes like Bayern tonight. "
It sounds a little demago and that's normal, it is. Rudi Garcia is not fooled. “After such exploits, getting back into everyday life is not easy. And very important, we will have to re-mobilize because we have to find Europe. In the league it will be different from these matches, we know that we will have to develop more play. "
What will remain of this group after the transfer window?
The group has taken the measure of the challenge before them, so much the better. But euh. What group, by the way? The crisis cost about 100 million euros to OL who will necessarily have to sell to cushion the fall. As such, the sporting director sold off after the last match in Lisbon: “some will leave, maybe… Houssem (Aouar), Moussa (Dembele), we'll see, but the base is there. "
And even if Rudi Garcia believes that Juninho "spoke a little fast", his speech at a press conference reflects the position of a club eager to sell its best elements at a high price. “With this half, players have come to light again and could be coveted. We are not going to be alarmed. We have a very good workforce. We will see if there is a good economic "opportunity" for the club, maybe the club will seize it. It's not for me to talk about it. "
Apart from the names cited by the Brazilian, one can logically ask the question of the future of Depay, whose contract expires next year without an extension in sight. But the Dutchman, who would like to rise in rank is coming back from injury is not yet back to the level of his ambitions. It wouldn't be surprising to see him stay either, unless he wanted to play Europe at all costs.
The good sales of OL are in any case more to be sought on the side of Bertand Traoré, Rafael and company, who weigh more on the club's accounts than on its success. If the sales can allow the club to remain sustainable, only the hypothetical good deals on the market and the young people of Lyon will be able to bring Europe home. The mission will be tough. Almost as much as the brutal return to reality after the beautiful European epic.
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OL - Bayern: What if Toko-Ekambi had scored? The alternative live of the match if Lyon had not missed so much
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