Three goals. Last Sunday, late in the afternoon, Alexandre Lacazette gave a real breath of fresh air to Olympique Lyonnais by scoring a decisive hat-trick against Toulouse FC (3-0), thus giving them an important success in the race to maintain, especially in the face of a direct competitor. The French striker scored his three goals from set pieces, taking advantage of the apathy of the Violets, and taking advantage of his reactivity, his opportunism and his sense of goal. With this victory – only the second of the season for the Rhone team -, the Gones certainly remained last in the standings… but came back to two small units of the sixteenth, first non-relegation. And they intend to confirm this good result this Friday evening (9 p.m.), at the opening of the 16th day of Ligue 1, against AS Monaco. The task promises to be difficult. But with a “General” (perhaps) found, Pierre Sage and his men can hope to confirm their (possible) improvement.
If Alexandre Lacazette has (finally) woken up, scoring as many goals in a single match as since the start of the season, it is because he can now rely on a coach who gives him confidence. At least that’s what he explained on the sidelines of the success against Téfécé: “I was finally able to have an exchange with my coach. He spoke a lot with me this week and he showed me his confidence,” he confided last Sunday, half-heartedly targeting Fabio Grosso, the ex-Lyon technician who did not hesitate to do without his services. , either by leaving him on the substitutes’ bench, or by taking him out (very) quickly.
The one who has been so criticized in recent weeks, for his poor performances but also for his attitude on the pitch, then clarified his words: “Even if it’s been a while since I scored, he [Pierre Sage, editor’s note] ] told me that he was still quite satisfied with my role in the game. I think that showed in all the matches with him: I tried to participate in the game more as he asked me. Pierre has clear instructions and a fairly positive message with us. Even if we are in this situation, it’s nice to feel loved.”
SEE ALSO – Olympique Lyonnais: Alexandre Lacazette’s decisive hat-trick against Toulouse FC (3-0)
Despite the (almost) catastrophic situation of Olympique Lyonnais and its insipid performances, the 32-year-old French center forward, considered “as a model by his young partners” to use the words of Pierre Sage, did not never discouraged. He always maintained a strong determination. And for the Rhone technician, this was seen against Toulouse FC, on Lyon’s third and final goal: “He is almost celebrating his colleague’s goal and he managed to reorganize himself to score. It is in this sense that the balancing act is good. And it is also in this sense that we see his determination. He was happy for his partner and as a result he made his partner happy by readjusting himself. It’s also a good sign for the team from its captain,” analyzed this Wednesday at a press conference the one who should remain on the Lyon bench, at least, until the break.
This Friday evening, against AS Monaco, in a totally unbalanced match on paper, Les Gones will have a lot to do to hope to leave the Stade Louis-II with a positive result. “Monaco is a difficult team, that’s why they are at the top of the table. […] We will have to be strong. We will have to take advantage of the opponent’s weaknesses. We will try to occupy the spaces well to create differences,” Nicolas Tagliafico told journalists. And it is certain that they will need a great Alexandre Lacazette. Will the latter confirm his return to form?
