Cyrille de la Morinerie with AFP, edited by Philippe Folgado // Photo credit: ARNAUD FINISTRE / AFP 15:45 p.m., November 27, 2023

By winning on the last matchday in Rennes (1-0), Les Gones thought they had finally launched their season. However, they fell back into their mistakes on Sunday against Lille, conceding a seventh defeat in 13 league games. Relegation to Ligue 2 seems to be getting closer for Lyon, who are bottom of the table.

Lille moved back to within one point of the Ligue 1 podium by winning at the expense of a very weak Lyon team who are heading for Ligue 2 (2-0), on Sunday at Groupama Stadium in the closing match of the 13th matchday of the championship. Losc, who picked up their sixth win of the season (D5 L2) but are unbeaten in the league since losing to Reims (2-1) on 26 September, are in ambush at the foot of the podium, fourth, one point behind Monaco (3rd).

Worst start to a season in OL's history

The Northerners, serene and superior in all areas, showed realism in the first half. They opened the scoring through Jonathan David, set up by Yusuf Yazici to beat Anthony Lopes (27). David hadn't scored since scoring two goals in August. Lille made it 2-0 shortly afterwards with a great shot from Tiago Santos from 22 yards out after a poor defensive clearance from Henrique (32).

On the other hand, OL were unable to capitalise on the rare chances they had through Maxence Caqueret or Ernest Nuamah, whose attempts were saved by Lucas Chevalier who also got in the way of Mama Baldé (60). He also sent a header over the bar despite a good position (57). Ineffective in attack, Lyon are just as ineffective in defence as in midfield.

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This 2023-2024 season is the worst start in the history of Olympique Lyonnais. Seven games without a win at home, an all-time high, and only seven points on the board. Historically, three-quarters of the teams with just seven points after 13 matchdays were relegated at the end of the season. Especially as the next matches are going to be very difficult, with trips to Lens, Marseille, Monaco and also the visit of Toulouse.

Lyon need an electric shock

To save themselves, Lyon will have to show something completely different, as confirmed by one of the great former OL players, Laurent Fournier: "We have the impression that there is not a typical team that stands out, that the players have a lot of doubts. We've seen it with players like Cherki, Lacazette or even Tolisso. There are quite a few clans in this team. And the change of coach has not managed to get Lyon back into the middle of the table".

But there is still hope for the team coached by Fabio Grosso. According to the statistics, OL still have a one in four chance of staying in Ligue 1, as confirmed by Laurent Fournier, who takes the example of Saint-Étienne. In 1988, the Greens waited until matchday 14 to win their first match and finished in 14th place in the league: "They have to hang on. Now it's up to the players to take charge of themselves to get out of it. In 1988, it was the cohesion and the players who realised that the club was in difficulty. With Saint-Étienne, we managed to go 12 games without defeat in the second half of the league".

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In the meantime, Lyon need an electric shock. Captain Alexandre Lacazette and midfielder Corentin Tolisso could be sold during the Christmas break, according to Le Progrès newspaper. Coach Bruno Genesio, back in the Lyon region after his experience in Brittany at Rennes, also has the ideal profile to replace Fabio Grosso.