Resurgence: One year of Pierre Sage at Lyon
Documentary
We take a look back over the resurgence of Lyon since Pierre Sage joined the club as head coach.
Let's rewind the clocks a bit. Only a year ago Olympique Lyonnais had to search for their third manager of the season after former player Fabio Grosso couldn't turn around the club's fortunes since the dismissal of Laurent Blanc. Rock bottom in Ligue 1, Les Gones turned to their head of youth academy: a serious tactician with experience of coaching in the lower leagues. Pierre Sage had played a big role as an assistant in the third division with Red Star FC, but the Frenchman had never managed in the French top flight.
At first, Sage was meant to lead the side on an interim basis at the end of November 2023. His first results were marked by two defeats: a 3-2 against Lens, and a 3-0 against Marseille in the replayed Olimpico clash. But there were growing signs of an improvement in the side's style of play and confidence, which only grew when Les Gones went on to win three consecutive games against Toulouse (3-0), Monaco (1-0), and against Nantes (1-0) which steered them gradually away from the relegation spots.
The OL leadership then made the decision in January to keep Sage in place until the end of the season. Whilst the side struggled in January, OL completed a sensational turnaround in the following months defined by some stunning victories.
Olympique Lyonnais 4-3 Stade Brestois
Eric Roy's buccaneering Pirates looked to have plundered the Groupama Stadium for three points when Brest took a 3-1 lead over Lyon on home turf. Yet, goals from Lacazette (70'), Tagliafico (79'), and an injury time penalty from Ainsley Maitland-Niles (90+15') sealed a hugely symbolic three points which saw Les Gones rise to 7th position in Ligue 1 in Mid-April.
Olympique Lyonnais 3-2 AS Monaco
The eventual second-place finishers AS Monaco visited the Groupama Stadium at the end of April hoping to solidify their position behind Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 table. Les Monégasques began well, opening the scoring and even taking the lead twice thanks to a double via Wissam Ben Yedder. Yet, goals via Alex Lacazette, Saïd Benrahma, and Malick Fofana saw OL take the lead late on into the game.
Lille 3-4 Olympique Lyonnais
Pierre Sage's side had to face a tricky trip to Stade Pierre-Mauroy to face a Champions League-challenging Lille side. The hosts would take the lead twice, but goals from Saïd Benrahma, Malick Fofana, Alex Lacazette, and Mama Baldé saw Les Gones complete a huge comeback at the start of May.
Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 Strasbourg
After being held by Strasbourg in the second half following Alex Lacazette's opener in the 40th minute, Les Alsatiens looked like they would take the lead from the penalty spot late on - but Emmanuel Emegha's strike hit the woodwork. It opened up a chance for Lyon to finally take the lead in the dying seconds of the game, and none other than Lacazette stepped up to take the winning penalty in the 96th minute to take Les Lyonnais to the Europa League on the last game of the season.
Pierre Sage: "I Love the club."
From rock bottom in December, to European qualification and a Coupe de France final in May isn't a bad journey in your first season as a Ligue 1 manager. This season, Sage's side are pushing higher up the table, and currently look poised for the elimination phase of the UEFA Europa League.
Yet, speaking before Les Gones' victory (4-1) over OGC Nice, Sage reflected on his progress with the club. "I don't want to draw any personal conclusions. I don't want to blow out a single candle. I want to be part of it for the long term, because I love the club. It's a club that's important to me and deserves to be loved.”
Sage's men face Angers next up in Ligue 1 on Saturday evening (21:00 CET).
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