Football Season Guide

Lyon’s 2016-17 season was ultimately as disappointment as they failed to qualify for the Champions League, suffered a defeat to Ajax in the semi-finals of the Europa League and finished fourth in Ligue 1. Their target over the next 12 months will be to get themselves back among Europe’s elite. Over the summer months they have posted some impressive financial numbers but they have to get things right on the field, where they will have to do without top scorer Alexandre Lacazette, who made a record move to Arsenal in the summer. On the evidence of the pre-season matches, many of their problems from last season, when they were so unreliable, remain. These largely came in defence, where they have sought to restructure their side by signing Marcal from Guingamp to play on the left and Kenny Tete from Ajax to feature on the right. In the middle, meanwhile, Marcelo has been added from Beskitas. Otherwise, it has largely been about investing for the future. Head coach Bruno Genesio will hope that one or both of Mariano Diaz or Bertrand Traore can come good in attack to replace the goals they have lost with Lacazette. It should also be noted that the departure of Corentin Tolisso and Maxime Gonalons from the midfield leaves a significant gap that will be tricky to fill, even allowing for Lucas Tousart’s impressive rise in the second half of last term. President, Jean-Michel Aulas, has admitted that he will likely make one more attacking midfield move before the end of the summer market, which could significantly improve their depth and fortunes. OL have also allowed Mathieu Valbuena and Christophe Jallet, two veterans of the squad, to move on. Therefore, the side this season is as young and as fresh as ever. OL should not be considered a side in a particular phase of transition, but they are certainly lagging behind PSG and Monaco, with 3rd place the best they can hope for.