Could Lyon be making a comeback? If not quite to the dominant form that saw them secure consecutive titles in past years, they at least seem to resemble the impressive squad that turned their season around last year, going from relegation threats to finishing sixth in Ligue 1.
At the start of the summer transfer window, there were concerns about misjudged signings, as Saïd Benrahma, Georges Mikautadze, and Moussa Niakhaté struggled to find their rhythm after a hefty investment of nearly €70 million. Meanwhile, new left-back Abner from Real Betis also faced challenges adapting. Rayan Cherki, despite attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain and other clubs, chose to stay with Lyon but initially didn’t feature in the squad after hesitating to sign a new contract. Alexandre Lacazette’s uncharacteristic struggles only added to the tension, particularly as European competition loomed on the horizon with both Monaco and Marseille performing strongly.
Yet, in just a month, the narrative has flipped. Following a commanding 4-0 victory against Le Havre, Lyon has now clinched five consecutive wins across all competitions. Although the complexity of their competition within Ligue 1 has varied, standout performances in the Europa League against Olympiakos and Rangers signal a renewed sense of ambition, despite some early-game jitters.
This impressive turnaround traces back to a painful home defeat to Marseille, where the opposition played with ten men and still managed to secure a 3-2 victory. Since then, Mikautadze and Benrahma have mostly been sidelined, with Malick Fofana and Cherki now steering the ship. Cherki, after extending his contract through 2026, has re-entered coach Pierre Sage’s favor.
The young duo has exploded onto the scene during this winning streak, with Cherki contributing a goal and three assists, while Fofana has netted four goals and dished out an assist. At just 19, Fofana is already showcasing his significant talent, stepping into a role once filled by Benrahma. This shift highlights Sage’s choice to lean on younger players rather than veterans, mindful of Lacazette’s sluggish start that hindered their chase for the top four.
Talking about Cherki, the real question now is whether he can sustain this level of performance. In earlier seasons, competition from Ernest Nuamah and Bradley Barcola frequently pushed him out of the lineup, and mixed signals about his role within the team led to doubts about his commitment. However, with Sage’s backing and newfound confidence, Cherki seems poised to fulfill the promise that has always surrounded him.
Fofana’s excellent form even earned him a spot on Belgium’s senior national team and has helped Lacazette break through, scoring twice against Rangers and again in the league on Sunday. Post-match, Lacazette praised Cherki, saying, “It feels great to finally score in Ligue 1. I knew it was coming; I had my chances, and I just lacked the finishing touch. Rayan told me I’d score my first goal this weekend, and I owe him for that fantastic assist.”
While Lyon has thrived in a 4-3-3 formation, there’s potential for Fofana, Cherki, and either Nuamah or Benrahma to shift into a more aggressive 4-2-3-1 once Nemanja Matic recovers from injury. Although this strategy could leave them vulnerable defensively, it provides Sage with an advantage to enhance their attack or counteract more defensive teams.
As they continue to impress, it’s worth noting that the steady improvement of Abner, now entering the Brazilian national team scene, is contributing to the overall resurgence. Lyon finds itself just one point shy of fourth place.
However, challenges still loom. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri has appeared shaky at times, and the talented Mikautadze can’t be overlooked, despite his struggles. Niakhaté, while showing promise against Le Havre, still has much to prove considering his cost to the club. Nevertheless, the signs are increasingly positive for Lyon as they work their way back into contention for European competition, if not for the title.
In the broader Ligue 1 landscape, Montpellier’s fortunes seem to be worsening following a 5-0 defeat to Marseille, threatening their hopes for survival. Meanwhile, Auxerre has made strides away from the relegation battle with key contributions from Hamed Traorè, who looks set to be the difference maker for their safety.
Finally, the end may be nearing for Rennes manager Julien Stéphan as well, with a disappointing start to the season failing to meet club expectations after a significant transfer window investment.
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