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Match Reports
Rennes 0 – 0 Olympique Lyonnais
Saturday 11th August 2012 – Ligue 1 – Stade de la Route de Lorient, Rennes – Att. 25,561
Lyon starting XI – Lopez, Réveillère, Bisevac, Lovren, Umtiti, Gonalons, Malbranque, Mvuemba, Briand, Giaccherini, Lacazette
Subs Muniesa, Grenier
Sent off Giaccherini (19)
I wanted us to hit them on the counter and stop them from creating anything. We controlled possession from the start but we weren’t creating anything. Having to contend with an early sending off I decided it wasn’t worth going all out attack but we sat back and tried to prevent any real chances for Rennes. We only mustered 5 shots on goal, with only two on target. This was disappointing but I didn’t have the confidence just yet to change things around and go all out attack. It finished a bore draw but one I would take.
Olympique Lyonnais 4 – 1 Troyes
Saturday 18th August 2012 – Ligue 1 – Stade de Gerland, Lyon – Att. 26,381
Lyon starting XI – De Vries, Réveillère, Bisevac, Lovren, Umtiti, Malbranque, Mvuemba, Briand, Lacazette, Eduardo, Benzia
Subs Fofana, Grenier
GoalsBenzia (20), Lovren (42), Fofana (69), Grenier (90)
We lined up 4-2-4, all out attack in this match and I expected lots of goals. The boys obliged and we battered Troyes 4-1. My first game at home and it was a resounding win. It could have been 5 or 6 but we missed a few easy chances. I wasn’t too fussed though we had a good win here and I was happy with the boys.
Evian TG 2 – 3 Olympique Lyonnais
Sunday 26th August 2012 – Ligue 1 – Parc des Sports, Annecy – Att. 8,203
Lyon starting XI – De Vries, Réveillère, Bisevac, Lovren, Umtiti, Malbranque, Fofana, Lacazette, Colazo, Eduardo, Watt
Subs Muniesa, Fierro, Hughes
GoalsColazo (11), Lacazette (28), Bisevac (88)
Even though we were away from home, I was confident in the team, especially with the new signings in the team. I decided to go attacking again and went 4-2-4 with Tony Watt getting his starting debut, as well as Colazo. We went up 2-0 early on only to have the opposition drag it back 2-2. After that, I put Will Hughes and played him as an AMC. We were pretty much playing 4-1-3-2 as this point and we snatched the win with CB Bisevac scoring a late winner. The first away win of the season was an exciting one but I was glad we were up and running away from home as well.
Olympique Lyonnais 5 – 3 Valenciennes
Saturday 1st September 2012 – Ligue 1 – Stade de Gerland, Lyon – Att. 26,572
Lyon starting XI – De Vries, Réveillère, Bisevac, Lovren, Muniesa, Malbranque, Fofana, Lacazette, Colazo, Hughes, Watt
SubsDabo, Grenier
GoalsColazo (13), Watt (16, 32), Lacazette (34), Dabo (63)
With Valenciennes coming to our stadium I had a decision to make. I plumped for the 4-2-3-1 formation and it looked like it was about to bite us in the a**. We went 2-0 in the first 8 minutes. I was in shock but I stuck by my tactics and told the players to play it to feet and to exploit the wings more. This sparked a turnaround of epic proportions. We were 4-2 after 34 minutes. There were more goals in this game, one each for both sides and we ran out 5-3 winners. We are conceding a lot at the moment and this is a concern, especially when we have to play the big teams but I’m sure we will be able to tighten up as the boys get used to playing together.