Success on a shoestring: Lyon’s revival against the odds
Olympique Lyonnais’ 4-2 victory over Rennes on Sunday evening felt like more than just another important win in the race for the top three.
It was the latest demonstration of how Paulo Fonseca has managed to build one of Ligue 1’s most coherent and entertaining sides in remarkably difficult circumstances. Lyon’s off-field situation had been dominated by uncertainty surrounding finances and ownership, yet the team itself has steadily grown into a collective capable of overpowering some of the division’s strongest opponents.
Against Rennes, Lyon once again leaned heavily on the left side of the pitch, where Abner, Corentin Tolisso and Afonso Moreira repeatedly destabilised Franck Haise’s defensive structure through constant movement and positional rotations. More than half of OL’s attacks came down that flank during the first half as Fonseca’s side manipulated Rennes’ compact 4-4-2 shape with technical quality and intelligent spacing. The variety of movement caused persistent problems, with Moreira alternating between wide runs and inside movements while Tolisso drifted into broader areas to create overloads and crossing opportunities. Three of Lyon’s four goals ultimately originated from situations created on that side.
Yet Lyon’s season cannot simply be explained through tactics alone. The broader context makes their rise even more impressive. Entering the campaign, the club needed to balance competitiveness with financial restraint. Significant departures, pressure to reduce costs and injuries throughout the season forced Lyon into a more creative approach to squad building. Rather than targeting established stars, the club focused on younger, functional profiles capable of fitting Fonseca’s demands.
That recruitment strategy is increasingly paying off. Abner has quietly become one of the most important full-backs in Ligue 1 tactically, while Tyler Morton has added control in midfield and Moreira has emerged as one of the revelations of the second half of the season. Roman Yaremchuk, initially viewed as a squad option, continues to deliver decisive goals, and even Endrick is beginning to show why Lyon invested in his long-term development. Against Rennes, the Brazilian’s influence extended far beyond his spectacular finish, linking attacks intelligently and repeatedly creating openings for teammates.
Trusting the academy
The academy has also remained central to Lyon’s recovery. Khalis Merah’s emergence has provided energy and aggression in midfield, while the trust shown in younger players throughout the campaign has helped the squad survive difficult periods caused by injuries and fixture congestion. Even during moments of instability, Lyon have continued to rely on the developmental identity that has historically defined the club.
No player, however, symbolises this resurgence more than Tolisso. The former Bayern Munich midfielder is arguably producing the best football of his career, combining leadership, technical quality and tactical intelligence in a way that has become essential to Fonseca’s system. Against Rennes, he delivered the cross for Roman Yaremchuk’s equaliser, converted the penalty that gave Lyon the lead and constantly helped orchestrate transitions through midfield. In a season where OL could easily have drifted under the weight of external pressure, Tolisso has become both the emotional and tactical reference point of the side.
What makes Lyon’s campaign so compelling is that it has been constructed without the financial advantages enjoyed by many of Europe’s elite clubs. Instead, Fonseca has built a team around tactical organisation, collective intensity and smart recruitment. The result is a side that now looks increasingly capable of returning to the Champions League for the first time since 2020.
With two matches remaining, there is still work to do. But regardless of how the season finishes, Lyon have already shown that intelligent planning, academy trust and strong coaching can still overcome instability. In modern football, that may be their greatest achievement of all.
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>> Tolisso, Endrick power Lyon to vital win over Rennes
