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It has been two decades since Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille were at each other’s throats, battling for the Ligue 1 title. This season, they are both level on 38 points going into the second half of the season. However, there is a third wheel in this particular relationship – Remi Garde’s increasingly impressive Lyon.
At the start of the season, few were tipping Les Gones for the title. Frankly, few were tipping anyone but PSG. Yet Lyon’s form and first half of the season should shock nobody. Last season’s champions Montpellier were unlikely to replicate their achievements of last year, although they could have been expected to be in and around the mix for Europe. Lille lost the third of the brilliant attacking trident that guided them to the league title in 2011. And Eden Hazard was not just the best of the trio, but the finest player to have graced the French league for some time. Marseille meanwhile had just appointed Elie Baup to replace Didier Deschamps, who had endured a miserable 2011/12 with the south coast team, which languished in mid-table.
Meanwhile, Garde was going about his business with intelligence and frugality. With the new Stade des Lumieres swallowing up all the club’s financial investment at present, the playing squad was yet again stripped of a key asset, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris departing for Tottenham. Remy Vercoutre stepped up to take his place, while some astute signings were made.
The best of them has undoubtedly been Steed Malbranque, a creative journeyman thought to be past his peak. Centre-back Milan Bisevac joined after a frustrating season at PSG and left-back Fabian Monzon arrived from Nice. Although Monzon has done little of note as yet, Bisevac has added strength and depth to a defence which also lost the experienced Cris to Galatasaray. Malbranque however, has been the real eye catching signing of the summer since returning to the Stade Gerland.
In the summer of 2011, Malbranque was made surplus to requirements by Sunderland coach Steve Bruce and returned to France, where he had played for Lyon previously between 1998 and 2001, when the club began their domination of French football. Yet he joined arch-rivals Saint-Etienne, who he left a month later. Confusion then reined as the midfielder was forced to deny reports that he had retired from the game, but he remained without a club until his old team offered him a trial this summer.
Malbranque’s first game back saw him perform superbly in a 3-2 win over Valenciennes, linking up brilliantly with the youngster Maxime Gonalons in the centre of midfield. He has had a decisive impact in certain games too, setting up the winner against Israeli side Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona in the last minute of a Europa League match and providing a wonderful assist for Bafetimbi Gomis against Brest in Ligue 1. With Clement Grenier and Yoann Gourcuff currently injured, he has become indispensable to Garde. The Belgian-born midfielder has set up six goals in the league for his team-mates and his influence has been keenly appreciated by all. And he contrasts intriguingly with Gourcuff, the club’s last big money signing, who has failed to provide the creative spark Malbranque is now delivering.
As it is, Gourcuff has actually started to play quite well this season, winning back his place in the France squad, before he was injured. Along with the creative Grenier, one of the most talented youngsters in the country, and the reliable Gonalons, Lyon have a superb midfield which has powered them towards the top.
Grenier and Gonalons underline another key facet of the club’s development – their emphasis on youth. Samuel Umtiti, who has come through in defence, and Alexandre Lacazette up front, are both successful graduates of the youth system at the Stade Gerland. Intelligent signings and youth development are two of the key drivers of this Lyon revival – but the third key feature must be goals.
PSG aside, few teams can boast the kind of firepower Lyon have. Gomis is the most reliable goalscorer outside of the capital year on year, and he continues to lead the line for Garde’s side, offering technique, pace and a good finish. He links up superbly well with captain Lisandro Lopez, who chips in his fair share as well. Jimmy Briand and the ever-reliable Brazilian Michel Bastos offer both width and goals from out wide, and this array of attacking talent means that Les Gones are never far away from a goal.
Now the big question is, can they keep up with their rivals and pose a serious title threat? Like Montpellier last year, Lyon benefit from knowing that the pressure is all on their Parisian rivals. A top three finish would be just fine for Lyon, and they are well on course to achieve just that already. And unlike Carlo Ancelotti, Garde has fewer problems trying to keep his squad happy. Whereas the Italian has had to deal with the issues caused by some of Brazilian Nene’s antics this season, Garde has a harmonious and spirited dressing room determined to do well for him and the club.
One of the big concerns remains the size of the squad. Lyon did not look as impressive as the first half of the season wound down, as they have suffered with injuries. With the January transfer window fast approaching, Les Gones may struggle to hold on to one or two of their key names. Gomis in particular has been linked with a move away from the club and with a number of English teams looking for a striker, he could be an obvious candidate to leave if president Jean-Michel Aulas decides to sell up to raise some more money to improve Lyon’s financial situation. Chelsea and Liverpool are interested, while Arsenal and Newcastle are both in the market for a forward and each are liable to raid the French league for talent. That could be the biggest question mark over Les Gones’ fledgling title challenge. Gomis is the cherry on the top of the cake for Garde, his goals pivotal to Lyon’s hopes. If they can keep their prized asset, a first title since 2009 may be in sight.
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