Things Week 6 of Ligue 1 action taught us about Olympique Lyonnais: Ligue 1 special
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 2-0 at Stade Gerland in their sixth Ligue 1 game of the new season. Though Marseille had failed to win a single game in the league before the Lyon test, many argued that the game at Rhone would change
the record for Les Phoceens after Deschamps’ men beat Olympiacos in their first game of the Champions League group stages a few days back.
Though Marseille have been criticised a lot for their performance, nothing should be taken away from the fact that Lyon played the better football of the two sides during the 90 minutes of the game.
Dominance in midfield
For the past two seasons, Lyon’s midfield has shown signs of ailing under Claude Puel. However, things are looking up for the midfield under Remi Garde who prefers using the diamond formation in the midfield.
Maxime Gonalons did a fantastic http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kim-c20955 Kallstrom personified a typical box-to-box midfielder and distributed the ball well.
A new star in the making
20-year-old Clement Grenier was drafted into the squad when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 in the final days of the summer transfer window. The youngster has done well in slotting in as an attacking midfielder just behind the lone striker.
Grenier turned out a decent showing against Marseille and although there was nothing flashy and extravagant about his performance, the midfielder did not make any mistake either. Though at times Grenier showed his inexperience, he will definitely grow in
stature as the season wears on and Garde might even find a system that makes full use of Grenier and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yoann-Gourcuff-c37416 once the latter returns to full fitness.
Gomis adapts
The injury to Lisandro Lopez meant that Remi Garde had to rely a lot on Bafetimbi Gomis who has been pointed out for his lack of goals since his arrival at Stade Gerland. However, the Saint-Etienne man turned in a mature performance against Marseille. The
Frenchman scored a goal in the first half and came close to getting his second goal of the game.
Gomis has already scored four goals this season and until Lisandro Lopez is out, Gomis will have to adapt to playing as a lone striker – a role he is not really accustomed to. Initial signs have shown that Gomis is adapting well to his new role and Garde
would be hoping for this to continue.
Bastos will get stronger
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michel-Bastos-c25461 was the best player on the pitch for Lyon. The Brazilian winger was the sole reason why Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta’s performance was criticised after the game. The youngster was made to chase Bastos throughout the night and could
not stop the Brazilian from supplying a great cross to Gomis who scored Lyon’s first goal.
Bastos later on scored the second goal of the game and showed why Lyon were so lucky in holding on to him in the summer transfer window. Bastos’ presence made http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aly-Cissokho-c5313 perform efficiently as the duo formed a great partnership down the left flank.
Bastos’ form will be essential for Les Gones this season as Remi Garde looks to end the club’s three-year trophy drought.
Lovren-Kone pairing
The defensive partnership of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dejan-Lovren-c10779 and Kone is proving to be the best centre-back pairing of the season so far. The young duo complicates eachother efficiently and will be expected to do well in the latter stages of the season. Luckily, Remi Garde
has found the right combination in defence. Furthermore, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cris-c9486 will now have a hard time in displacing the two young defenders who are proving more and more important for Lyon.
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