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From Chaos to a Cup final: The story of Lyon’s season

From Chaos to a Cup final: The story of Lyon’s season

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The first half of this season was nothing short of a nightmare for Olympique Lyonnais. The French side made their worst ever start to a Ligue 1 campaign, sacked two managers, and were rooted firmly to the bottom of the table in December. However, the arrival of boss Pierre Sage soon transformed Les Gones’ season, with no side winning more points than them in Ligue 1 following his appointment (46).

By Luke Bissett

After claiming just one win in their opening 12 league games, OL seemed destined for a fierce relegation battle. Both Laurent Blanc and Fabio Grosso had been dismissed from their managerial posts, while the club were in turmoil on and off the pitch. Grosso’s spell in charge at the Groupama Stadium was the shortest managerial reign in Lyon’s history.  

With just three points from their first 12, it was the French giants’ worst ever start to a Ligue 1 campaign. They also shipped a staggering 21 goals, their most at that stage of the season in over 40 years (22 in 1979-80). Five points adrift of safety, Les Gones were staring into the abyss. It  was the first time that they had been bottom of the Ligue 1 table after five or more games since 1982-83 – the last time they were relegated from the top-flight.

The club then turned to academy manager Pierre Sage as interim boss at the end of November. Propelled into his first senior managerial role, the 45-year-old quickly surpassed all expectations. Despite a shaky start, which included defeats at both Lens and Marseille in Sage’s first two games, OL soon began gaining momentum.

A run of three consecutive victories to conclude the calendar year saw Lyon climb out of the relegation zone for the first since August, while it was the first time that they kept a clean sheet in three consecutive league games since April 2018. Tasked with avoiding relegation upon his appointment, Sage was soon looking up, rather than over his shoulder at the relegation dogfight.  

Les Gones grew from strength to strength following the turn of the year, winning more points than any other side in Ligue 1 across 2024 (37). Sage was swiftly rewarded with his ‘interim’ title being removed from his job role. The team’s success was coupled with an extremely impressive winter transfer window. Nemanja Matić, Malick Fofana, and Gift Orban (previously teammates at Belgian side Gent) were just some of the names that arrived at the Groupama Stadium in January, and there was little time wasted in  integrating the new additions into the side.  

OL’s ascent showed no signs of slowing down either. They won 12 of their 17 league games this year, more than any other Ligue 1 outfit. The side also embarked on a terrific cup run, dispatching both Lille and Strasbourg in the earlier rounds to reach tomorrow’s Coupe de France final. It marks Les Gones’ first chance to win major silverware since 2011-12, when they defeated Quevilly-Rouen Métropole in this very competition. Sage’s impact has been greatly felt throughout his hometown Lyon. In fact, he has the highest win percentage of any previous OL boss in the top-flight (68.2%). 

The 44-year-old has released the shackles from his charges, encouraging a more aggressive style of play than the pragmatic approach that had come before him. Sage referred to this following a 3-2 defeat to Rennes at the end of January. “I told them to stop playing cello and start playing electric guitar,” he said. And his side were very promptly in tune. They averaged 1.82 goals per game under the Frenchman, a drastic improvement from under both Grosso (0.86) and Blanc (1.59). 

Sage nominally uses a variation of a 4-3-3, with his set-up orientated towards transitions and quick counter-attacks. Inevitably, Les Gones reaped the rewards of their more gung-ho outlook. Only Monaco (630) had more touches in the opposition box than Lyon in Ligue 1 following Sage’s arrival (604), while his outfit also boasted the third most shots on target in the division across this period (112).  

Another key factor in the side’s rise was their ruthlessness in front of goal. OL had the lowest shot conversion rate in the French top-flight prior to the 44-year-old’s appointment (5.4%), whereas only champions PSG (15.8%) had a higher ratio than them under his guidance (14.5%). The French giants also visibly grew in confidence under Sage. They have gained 22 points from losing positions under Sage – the most of any side across the big five European leagues in that timeframe. Following his arrival in the Groupama Stadium dugout, OL’s substitutes have contributed to 18 goals off the bench (10 goals, eight assists), more than any other side in the French top-flight.  

Les Gones have grown a fine reputation for their fearless displays and never-say-die attitude under Sage. This was ultimately evidenced in their final league game of the season, as they netted a 96th minute winning penalty over Strasbourg to secure a sixth-place finish and Europa League football for next season. Remarkably, they are the first ever side to finish inside the top six in Ligue 1 after having just three points or fewer after 12 games. 

The achievement marked a tremendous conclusion to the season for Lyon, who have lost just one of their last 11 games in all competitions. Just one game remains in their fantastic turnaround season, a meeting with PSG in this Saturday’s Coupe de France final. Yet irrespective of the final outcome, Lyon have already far exceeded all expectations this season. Sage and his electric guitar have certainly hit all the right notes so far. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the final of the Coupe De France live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

From Chaos to a Cup final: The story of Lyon’s season

The first half of this season was nothing short of a nightmare for Olympique Lyonnais. The French side made their worst ever start to a Ligue 1 campaign, sacked two managers, and were rooted firmly to the bottom of the table in December. However, the arrival of boss Pierre Sage soon transformed Les Gones’ season, with no side winning more points than them in Ligue 1 following his appointment (46).

By Luke Bissett

After claiming just one win in their opening 12 league games, OL seemed destined for a fierce relegation battle. Both Laurent Blanc and Fabio Grosso had been dismissed from their managerial posts, while the club were in turmoil on and off the pitch. Grosso’s spell in charge at the Groupama Stadium was the shortest managerial reign in Lyon’s history.  

With just three points from their first 12, it was the French giants’ worst ever start to a Ligue 1 campaign. They also shipped a staggering 21 goals, their most at that stage of the season in over 40 years (22 in 1979-80). Five points adrift of safety, Les Gones were staring into the abyss. It  was the first time that they had been bottom of the Ligue 1 table after five or more games since 1982-83 – the last time they were relegated from the top-flight.

The club then turned to academy manager Pierre Sage as interim boss at the end of November. Propelled into his first senior managerial role, the 45-year-old quickly surpassed all expectations. Despite a shaky start, which included defeats at both Lens and Marseille in Sage’s first two games, OL soon began gaining momentum.

A run of three consecutive victories to conclude the calendar year saw Lyon climb out of the relegation zone for the first since August, while it was the first time that they kept a clean sheet in three consecutive league games since April 2018. Tasked with avoiding relegation upon his appointment, Sage was soon looking up, rather than over his shoulder at the relegation dogfight.  

Les Gones grew from strength to strength following the turn of the year, winning more points than any other side in Ligue 1 across 2024 (37). Sage was swiftly rewarded with his ‘interim’ title being removed from his job role. The team’s success was coupled with an extremely impressive winter transfer window. Nemanja Matić, Malick Fofana, and Gift Orban (previously teammates at Belgian side Gent) were just some of the names that arrived at the Groupama Stadium in January, and there was little time wasted in  integrating the new additions into the side.  

OL’s ascent showed no signs of slowing down either. They won 12 of their 17 league games this year, more than any other Ligue 1 outfit. The side also embarked on a terrific cup run, dispatching both Lille and Strasbourg in the earlier rounds to reach tomorrow’s Coupe de France final. It marks Les Gones’ first chance to win major silverware since 2011-12, when they defeated Quevilly-Rouen Métropole in this very competition. Sage’s impact has been greatly felt throughout his hometown Lyon. In fact, he has the highest win percentage of any previous OL boss in the top-flight (68.2%). 

The 44-year-old has released the shackles from his charges, encouraging a more aggressive style of play than the pragmatic approach that had come before him. Sage referred to this following a 3-2 defeat to Rennes at the end of January. “I told them to stop playing cello and start playing electric guitar,” he said. And his side were very promptly in tune. They averaged 1.82 goals per game under the Frenchman, a drastic improvement from under both Grosso (0.86) and Blanc (1.59). 

Sage nominally uses a variation of a 4-3-3, with his set-up orientated towards transitions and quick counter-attacks. Inevitably, Les Gones reaped the rewards of their more gung-ho outlook. Only Monaco (630) had more touches in the opposition box than Lyon in Ligue 1 following Sage’s arrival (604), while his outfit also boasted the third most shots on target in the division across this period (112).  

Another key factor in the side’s rise was their ruthlessness in front of goal. OL had the lowest shot conversion rate in the French top-flight prior to the 44-year-old’s appointment (5.4%), whereas only champions PSG (15.8%) had a higher ratio than them under his guidance (14.5%). The French giants also visibly grew in confidence under Sage. They have gained 22 points from losing positions under Sage – the most of any side across the big five European leagues in that timeframe. Following his arrival in the Groupama Stadium dugout, OL’s substitutes have contributed to 18 goals off the bench (10 goals, eight assists), more than any other side in the French top-flight.  

Les Gones have grown a fine reputation for their fearless displays and never-say-die attitude under Sage. This was ultimately evidenced in their final league game of the season, as they netted a 96th minute winning penalty over Strasbourg to secure a sixth-place finish and Europa League football for next season. Remarkably, they are the first ever side to finish inside the top six in Ligue 1 after having just three points or fewer after 12 games. 

The achievement marked a tremendous conclusion to the season for Lyon, who have lost just one of their last 11 games in all competitions. Just one game remains in their fantastic turnaround season, a meeting with PSG in this Saturday’s Coupe de France final. Yet irrespective of the final outcome, Lyon have already far exceeded all expectations this season. Sage and his electric guitar have certainly hit all the right notes so far. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the final of the Coupe De France live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.