Ligue 1: against OGC Nice, OL are (again) counting on “General” Lacazette

He guides his troops. For several weeks, Alexandre Lacazette has found the net again and offered valuable points to Olympique Lyonnais in the race to maintain their position. To the point where Les Gones (13th) are now looking both ahead and behind them in the standings. And this Friday evening (9:00 p.m.), against OGC Nice, at the opening of the 22nd day of Ligue 1, the “General” should once again lead his team. Towards success? This is what Rhone fans are hoping for.

Like (almost) all Lyonnais, Alexandre Lacazette experienced an extremely difficult first part of the season. In a team whose deployed play left (largely) something to be desired, the French center forward was unable to get into a good mood. And this was reflected in his statistics: only three goals scored - including a penalty - after fourteen days of the championship. Fortunately for him, the arrival of Pierre Sage changed everything. With the man who occupied - and still officially occupies in any case - the position of director of the training center, the ex-Arsenal striker has (re)found a coach ready to give him total confidence to turn around Olympique Lyonnais ; which was (a little) less the case during Fabio Grosso's (short) stint on the Rhone bench.

It only took a small discussion between the two men for the “General” to regain all the confidence he lacked during the first months of competition. “We clarified certain things in relation to his situation, but it was above all a discussion between men, not a coach to coach. It was to clarify a point with him,” explained Pierre Sage at a press conference this Wednesday. Before specifying despite everything: “He is an experienced player, I think he did not need this discussion to get back on the horse and gallop.” Coincidence or not, following this interview, the Gones center forward started scoring again. And not just a little...since he quite simply scored a hat-trick against Toulouse FC (3-0), thus allowing Olympique Lyonnais to return to victory after three defeats in a row. “I think the real turning point for him is this match against Toulouse where he scores a hat-trick,” assured the Rhone coach to journalists.

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To say the least. Indeed, Alexandre Lacazette subsequently scored a series of goals. He also remains on an incredible series: five in the last five matches. Impressive. And we’re talking about accomplishments that matter! Despite very few clear situations, he managed to offer success to his team against FC Nantes (1-0), in the Olympico (1-0), and was decisive in the victory against Montpellier Hérault SC (1 -2). Needless to say, he is in great shape. Which is not to displease Pierre Sage: “It’s very good for him, very good for us, and also very good that he knows how to score in different conditions each time. In general, that characterizes the talent quite well,” the Gones coach said about him.

This Friday evening, against the Gym which is none other than the best defense in Ligue 1 with only fourteen goals conceded, Olympique Lyonnais will really need a great Alexandre Lacazette to shake the nets. And continue its (crazy?) rise? In any case, that’s the goal. “It’s up to us to be able to widen the gap with our pursuers this weekend. What matters is the final result,” announced Pierre Sage. Will the Lyonnais succeed in overcoming the Aiglons at home? Response at the end of the evening.