UEL Preview: Lyon-Olympiakos
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As they prepare to European competition for the first time since 2022, things could be brighter for Olympique Lyonnais. Set to take on Greek side Olympiakos tomorrow evening in the UEFA Europa League at Groupama Stadium, Les Gones have won just once in Ligue 1 this season, despite an ambitious summer that saw them bring in the likes of Georges Mikautadze and Moussa Niakhaté, as well as the decision taken to drop goalkeeper Anthony Lopes for the Brazilian Perri by Pierre.
Struggles in the league
That one win came before the international break, in a thrilling home victory over Racing Club de Strasbourg that gave the clubs' fans, no doubt nervous about the team's poor start to last season, a modicum of hope. After a scoreless draw against an in-form Lens after the break showed that Lyon could both defend and attack, there was no small amount of excitement over the club's clash with Marseille on Sunday.
That excitement would turn to disappointment, however, as Lyon not only failed to capitalize against an opponent playing with ten men for most of the match, but even lost in dramatic fashion, with a missed penalty by the normally reliable Alexandre Lacazette among the most worrying signs. Neither Lacazette nor Mikautadze have found the net yet, and with their confidence perhaps wavering, this match would be an ideal time for the pair to get on track, even as Sage is likely to opt for a more conservative approach compared to the team's attack-minded 3-5-2 from the weekend.
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Trophy hangover?
With Olympiakos winners of last year's UEFA Europa Conference League, one would have thought that the season would have been a success for the Piraeus club, but the team had gone through three permanent managers and a caretaker, only finishing third in the Greek Super League. After his European title, the club retained José Luis Mendilibar, but with Olympiakos having lost and drawn their two most recent matches in the league, there have been rumblings that this could be a repeat of the manager's last European title. After winning the Europa League with Sevilla in 2023, he lasted just eight games the following season.
With challenging matches against the likes of Porto, FC Twente and Braga still to come, a point in Lyon will likely be a satisfactory result, but without Gelson Martins, late of AS Monaco, and captain Georgios Masouras, Mendilibar may find it hard to play with his preferred front-foot style. Looking to get the ball to veteran Morocco international, Ayoub El Kaabi, this will be a challenge especially if Lyon play with a deep-lying midfield three. Said Sage of wanting to exercise control against the Greek side, "They play a direct attacking game, often with the intention of playing a second ball into the back of the defence. What matters to me is that these situations occur as little as possible."
Predicted lineups:
Olympique Lyonnais (4-3-3): Perri; Mata, Caleta-Car, Niakhaté, Tagliafico; Veretout, Matic, Tolisso (or Caqueret); Nuamah (or Cherki), Lacazette, Fofana)
Olympiakos (4-2-3-1): Tzolakis; Costinha, Ntoi, Carmo, Ortega; Hezze, Stamenic; Rodinei, Chiquinho, Velde; El-Kaabi
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