This time, OL did not fail. By winning in the Hérault (0-1), Sunday, November 28, Lyon got back on the right track with a view to European places. Above all, the Gones notched their first victory away from their base in the league in three months. 19th Ligue 1 team away before the match, Peter Bosz’s team was released. And finally, displays real solidity far from Groupama Stadium.
Of course, Montpellier was deprived of its playmaker Téji Savanier, suspended, and is not really a model in terms of consistency with his eleventh place. But Lyon had been waiting for this benchmark match for too long not to be satisfied with it. Ninety-three days separate this success at La Mosson from the last away victory, in Nantes at the end of August (0-1).
The #teamOL finds success outdoors by @ Ligue1UberEats thanks to a goal of @ LucasPaqueta97 !
It feels good #MHSCOL 0-1 pic.twitter.com/r68ZMJykqv– Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) November 28, 2021
OL had nevertheless been close to putting an end to this dearth. In Paris, where the Rhodaniens led until the 66th before losing in stoppage time (2-1). In Saint-Etienne then, by conceding the penalty of a draw on the wire (1-1). Then in Nice, after an incredible scenario: the Lyonnais led by two goals in the 80th, but still collapsed after additional time (3-2).
And yet, these frustrating results were no worse than the total routs in Angers (3-0) and Rennes (4-1). To justify this bankruptcy, Peter Bosz invoked the calendar: “Playing away six times after the Europa League is not easy”, he said Saturday at a press conference, pointing to the long trips of Thursday evenings. A European scene where OL, precisely, shines away with three victories. But the relative adversity (Rangers, Sparta Prague and Brondby) tempers this success.
0 – Lyon did not attempt the slightest shot in the 1st period against Rennes, a 1st at half-time in a Ligue 1 match since November 25, 2012 in Toulouse. Sluggish. #SRFCOL pic.twitter.com/tzvAgEcusr
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 7, 2021
In Montpellier, Lyon did not shine. But, rare, he preserved his clean sheet for the third time this season in Ligue 1. The MHSC was hardly dangerous, creating only two real opportunities harvested by Florent Mollet. But even when the Hérault club accelerated in the last quarter of an hour, the defensive solidity embodied by an impeccable Anthony Lopes made the difference.
Another improvement: reduced to ten during four of their six trips, the Lyonnais have not cracked. With four yellow cards, they have often been at the limit but their aggressiveness is a good marker of this new and found character.
On arrival, OL may even regret a few missed opportunities against. With seven goals scored, the Gones have the 18th away attack in the championship. A new axis of progress for Peter Bosz, before attacking a new trip to Bordeaux next Sunday. 19th home team and worst defense in Ligue 1, the Girondins have everything of the expiatory victim to allow Lyon to continue.