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When Lisandro Lopez crumbled to the ground under Vitorino Hilton’s challenge only three games into the Ligue 1 season most Lyon fans must have dreaded the worst. Initial reports rumoured of a broken ankle, how could Les Gones possibly compete for Le Championnat without their Argentine talisman?

The season had started with heaps of optimism. Gone was the turgid style that Claude Puel had them play, new coach Remi Garde has switch the formation to 4-4-2 and the play looked more expansive and importantly far more attack minded.

Under Puel there had been some uncharacteristic performances and results that during their seven start titles would have been unthinkable. Disappointing defeats to Caen, Lorient, and Valenciennes preceded the 4-0 defeat to Auxerre and the unthinkable 1-0 loss against St-Etienne in the Rhone derby. It was evident that Puel had to go.

It seems strange to think of finishing third in any league, and qualifying for the Champions League would be described as an awful season but that’s exactly what it was. Only a final day victory over Monaco kept Lyon in third, defeat and a PSG victory would have meant Lyon would have missed out on the Champions League for the first time in twelve years.

Despite the poor play and disappointing results the performances from Lisandro Lopez continued to inspire them. In fact in the eight games that Lisandro opened the scoring for Lyon, they went on to win all but one of those fixtures, the other being a draw.

It was clear to see, when Lisandro was up for it and firing on all cylinders Lyon’s performance would be much improved. His stats from last season show his abilities. 17 goals, five assists, averaging 2.2 shots per game, over 80% pass completion and the six WhoScored.com Man of the Match awards describe a man having a fantastic season. Just imagine what he could do in a side with a positive frame of mind.

So when Remi Garde lined up his first side with both Bafetimbi Gomis and Lisandro Lopez upfront, the signs were very positive. After going a goal behind it was Lisandro’s equaliser that inspired the 3- 1 win away at Nice. A side they had previously thrown away three points to late last season.

Held at home by Ajaccio to a point, the signs were still there that this Lyon side was in a better frame of mind under the “new Garde”. They were up against a goalkeeper in tremendous form and although Lisandro had seven shots on goal, hitting the post twice he could only beat Guillermo Ochoa once, with a back post header.

After the disappointing draw at Brest the feel good factor returned when they secured passage to the Champions League group stage, seeing off Rubin Kazan over two legs. The following game brought the 2-1 victory over Montpellier and everything was looking great until the Argentine striker tumbled under the challenge from Hilton and went over on his ankle.

At first it was diagnosed as just a sprain and he would be back within a few weeks. Sighs of relief could be heard around the Rhone region. Unfortunately there would be a few set-backs and weeks would become months.

Lyon seemed to cope well with the massive loss. Garde changed his side to 4-2-3-1 and the combination of Gomis and Bastos made an instant impact. Wins against Dijon, Marseille and Bordeaux set up a top of the table clash with PSG. A 2-0 defeat seemed to upset Remi Garde’s side.

Defeats in the league followed, Lille, Sochaux and Rennes all getting the better of Garde’s side. It was clear that they were missing Licha.

Defeat to Rennes had been a huge disappointment but with 30 minutes left on the clock there were reasons for the Lyon fans to smile once again. Scenes akin to a long lost friend returning home saw Lisandro come off the bench replacing Jimmy Briand. The initial four week diagnosis had turned into 12 weeks; six games had turned into 14. Would Lyon be as low as 5th had Lisandro come back quicker?

If Rennes was the cameo, and the 73 minutes against Ajax the preview. Lyon fans would have to wait until the trip to Burgundy for the feature presentation. Beaten last season 4-0 by Auxerre, there were reasons for retribution and Lisandro would make his mark.

Pouncing on a wonderful Michel Bastos cross the Argentine powered the header past Olivier Sorin, Lyon in front with Lisandro opening the scoring, we already knew how it was going to end. With 20 minutes to go he made it three. Faking to shoot on his left, the striker pulled it back onto his right and placed it in the near corner, wrong footing the Auxerre stopper. Bastos made it three late on, but the night belonged to the former Porto striker.

Although he has only started five games this season the signs are there that this season will be as successful as the last. His rating is slightly higher at 7.26. Four goals to his name, and averaging 3 shots per game, the Ligue 1 defenders will be worried about facing a fully fit Lisandro.

The image of Licha down on the ground holding his ankle after Hilton’s tackle is one the Lyon fans will want to forget quickly. The image of the striker wheeling away with his trademark finger on his head celebration is the one it’s seems they will be seeing more of in the coming weeks.