Pierre Sage, the RC Lens coach, expressed his unease at finding his former club, Olympique Lyonnais, on the first day of the championship. He stressed the importance that OL has always had in their career and their desire to quickly settle this chapter in order to be able to focus fully on their current team. Sage acknowledged the wait around this game and insisted that this meeting would not mean the end of his past, but would be an integral part of his professional identity. He claimed that his focus would be entirely on victory against the opponent, recognizing his past importance in his life.

Olympique Lyonnais is faced with a situation concerning her right rear position, with Galatasaray’s growing interest in Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Turkish club would have contacted the player several times and is preparing a formal offer. This situation comes at a time when OL has other options in this position, such as Saël Kumbedi, and the Lyon management has to decide on the future of Maitland-Niles. The player, who arrived in Lyon in 2023, played 73 games and scored many goals and assists, with another two years of contract. Paulo Fonseca, the current coach, relies on him and even held him in pre-season.

Adam Karabec, OL’s last recruit, expressed enthusiasm for replaying at the Groupama Stadium in the next match against FC Metz. He remembers his first visit to this stadium in 2021 during a match in the Europa League, despite a limited playing time. Karabec was impressed by the atmosphere of the stadium and hopes that this atmosphere will remain intact. This meeting represents a new opportunity for him to rediscover the environment of the Groupama Stadium, after being loaned to OL for this season.