Endrick joined Lyon in January on mortgage from Actual Madrid in an try to drive his approach into Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup. Photograph: AFP
LYON:
Near chapter simply eight months in the past, seven-time French champions Lyon have bounced again in fashion and after a exceptional successful run, a late problem for the Ligue 1 title just isn’t out of the query.
The membership’s very survival appeared unsure once they had been condemned to relegation to the second division final June as a punishment for the state of their funds.
They efficiently appealed, however Eagle Soccer Group, the holding firm which runs the membership, introduced in November that losses for final season had been over 200 million euros ($235m), with complete money owed above 500 million euros.
The off-field state of affairs has stabilised since American businesswoman Michele Kang changed John Textor as membership president, and the main focus is nearly fully on what occurs on the pitch.
Lyon head to Strasbourg on Sunday on a run of 13 consecutive wins in all competitions, a streak that has taken them to the final 16 of the Europa League and the quarter-finals of the French Cup.
Seven of these victories have been in Ligue 1, propelling Lyon to 3rd place, 5 factors higher off than Marseille in fourth, and on the right track to qualify for the Champions League for the primary time since 2019/20.
Issues may get even higher. Lyon are solely seven factors behind shock leaders Lens with 12 video games left. A primary league title since 2008 just isn’t past the realms of risk.
“It’s magnificent what the gamers have performed to this point,” stated coach Paulo Fonseca after the 2-0 win over Good final weekend.
“Issues are going properly for us, however we have to keep on with the identical humility and solely take into consideration the following match.”
The excellent news forward of the journey to Strasbourg is that Endrick is accessible once more after serving a suspension.
The 19-year-old starlet joined Lyon in January on mortgage from Actual Madrid in an try to drive his approach into Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup.
He has scored 5 objectives in six appearances, giving Lyon an attacking presence they sorely lacked within the first half of the marketing campaign following the departures of Rayan Cherki, Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze final summer season.
A 14th straight victory would equal the membership report, set in 2006 once they had been France’s dominant facet.
However a visit to the Stade de la Meinau to play European contenders Strasbourg is arguably the hardest check they’ve confronted since their successful run started.
Managerial adjustments
The managerial merry-go-round has been spinning furiously in France this week.
Franck Haise, who left Good in December, has been appointed coach of Rennes on a deal to the top of subsequent season.
Haise, who was a youth coach at Rennes earlier in his profession earlier than making his identify in command of Lens between 2020 and 2024, will take cost for the primary time at Auxerre on Sunday.
He replaces Habib Beye, who was sacked final week and on Wednesday was named coach of Marseille to exchange Roberto De Zerbi.
Beye, who captained Marseille twenty years in the past earlier than happening to play for Newcastle and Aston Villa, takes cost of OM for the primary time at Brest on Friday.
Key stats
9 – Marseille have conceded 9 objectives from the ninetieth minute onwards in Ligue 1 this season, and have dropped 9 factors consequently.
10 – Lens have received their final 10 residence video games in Ligue 1. A victory in opposition to Monaco will set a brand new membership report of 11.
14 – Lyon are chasing a 14th straight win to equal the membership report.
