Although he has only rarely shone in the Olympique Lyonnais jersey, Yoann Gourcuff exploded in the face of the League on February 25, 2006, during a match at Gerland. But in the Rennes jersey.
Yoann Gourcuff’s move to Olympique Lyonnais was quickly declared an industrial accident. Consequence of the 25 million euros that the Gones did not hesitate to pay to secure the services of the French international after two dream seasons in Bordeaux and repeated injuries, both physical and psychological, which will mark his five years at OL.
The strokes of brilliance of the native of Ploemeur will have been rare in Lyon. However, it was on the Gerland pitch that Yoann Gourcuff delivered his first masterpiece in Ligue 1. On February 25, 2006, Stade Rennais visited the great OL, that of Karim Benzema, Juninho and others. Four days earlier, Gérard Houllier’s men won on the pitch at Philips Stadium, vividly displaying their European ambitions.
But against Rennes, the Lyonnais are blunted and unable to resist the Breton waves. And if John Utaka takes the opportunity to confirm his great form thanks to a new hat-trick, just six days after the one against RC Lens, a player delivers a real recital in midfield: Yoann Gourcuff. Decisive passer on the Nigerian’s first goal scored from a corner, the Breton doubled the lead with a cross shot from the left upon receiving a cross from Youssouf Hadji.
Jean-Michel Aulas under the spell…
Even more than his statistics, it is his sense of the game that impresses. In the midfield, he is at the origin of all the Rouge et Noir’s offensives, whether by accelerating the ball or delivering passes that break the lines. Yoann Gourcuff is also at the start of the action for Rennes’ fourth goal thanks to a pass for Perrier-Doumbé.
The one who has finally established himself as a starter within Laszlo Boloni’s group is already playing it modest. “ The fact of playing one after another is what allows me to be more confident. I take more responsibility. Suddenly, I have less pressure. I enjoy myself more. This is felt and seen on the ground », he simply explains.
Observers are in any case under the spell. And Jean-Michel Aulas, the president of Lyon, too. At the end of the season, he also decided to enlist the Rennes playmaker. In vain, the son of Christian Gourcuff deciding to join AC Milan.
