Olympique Lyonnais’ 2-1 victory against Feignies-Aulnoye in the Coupe de France this Saturday evening not only ensured the team’s qualification. It also allowed Pierre Sage to mark a historic turning point: he became the first Lyon coach to reach 28 victories in a calendar year since Bruno Genesio in 2018. An impressive performance for a technician appointed in November 2023 in a chaotic context.
A spectacular recovery
In the space of a few months, Pierre Sage transformed a relegated team into a competitive team. Under his leadership, OL finished in a qualifying place for the Europa League last May and reached the final of the Coupe de France. Today, Lyon is in sixth place in Ligue 1, despite the restrictions imposed by the DNCG and limited finances.
This dynamic, however, is marred by a prolonged wait for trophies. Since 2012, Lyon have not won a major title. But this season could be one of redemption, with a course that is off to a good start in the Coupe de France.
The words of Pierre Sage after the victory
Questioned by beIN Sports after the meeting, Pierre Sage did not dwell on his new brand. On the other hand, he joked about his fall during the game: “Apart from the qualification and the two goals we scored, we remember my fall. Because I think that you (the journalists, editor’s note) will come to this, yes, so there are these three things that we will remember this evening. A statement which reflects his good mood at the end of this umpteenth successful outing of the year.
With 28 victories in 2024, Pierre Sage has restored Olympique Lyonnais to its former glory. But for this season to be truly memorable, a trophy remains essential. The Coupe de France is perhaps the ideal opportunity for the club to return to the top.
