OL beat Nice (2-0) this Saturday, in the fine line-up for the 24th day of Ligue 1. An important victory in accounting terms, convincing in content and which could serve as a reconciliation with supporters until then very annoyed.
Reconcile in order to best tackle this (long) home stretch which should lead the club to European places… or even to the podium: it was time for dialogue between OL and their supporters this Saturday, around the big match of the 24th day of Ligue 1 won against Nice (2-0).
Before kick-off, the message of the ultras was clear: “Your irregularity and your mentality are to vomit, wake up!”, had written the Bad Gones on a banner deployed in the north bend. Images not unlike those, the day before, of ultra Parisians between a strike of encouragement and banners galore during the PSG match against Rennes (1-0.
This Lyon banner was obviously the direct consequence of the defeat and especially of the poor performance of Peter Bosz’s men last weekend in Monaco (2-0). But also of this modest (intolerable?) ninth place in the standings before the start of the J24 of the championship. Far from Lyon standards, far from ambitions.
An exchange long requested by the ultras
About ten minutes after the final whistle, the Lyon players went to meet the supporters in the stands. A ten-minute dialogue then ensued. Something that the Bad Gones insistently demanded. In essence, the ultras pointed out that they had made this request several times to have exchanges with the group, to renew contact. The supporters also underlined a certain mutual ignorance between them and the players humanly and their will to listen to what the men of Peter Bosz had to say even to reproach.
The Bad Gones want more exchanges and sharing with the players and told them, welcoming the determination shown on the field in this match. With also an allusion to the Jerome Boateng case, dismissed for this meeting by the coach, for disciplinary reasons (which Peter Bosz refutes in a press conference): the information appeared in the press and the Lyon ultras told the players not find this normal.
The words of Léo Dubois
It was captain Léo Dubois who spoke on behalf of the players. Here is, in essence, the content of his remarks: “Know one thing, it is that we have not been able to communicate lately. It has been complicated on the ground with the Covid. We like that you are there. If we’re here, it’s because we’re aware. We have responsibilities to take. I think that tonight we showed what we were capable of. I don’t expect love for everyone from everyone. the players. We work to be the best. OL must play in the Champions League, we will fight for that. We have values. I come here as a man. We will try to give everything.”
A victory, the way and a rise to sixth place in the standings, five points from the podium. With the added bonus of renewed dialogue with ultras who, beyond their recent anger against the players, have not forgotten the sudden departure of sports director Juninho. If it was not a perfect evening, it looked like it this Saturday evening in Lyon. And it had been a long time.
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