The 2025-2026 season of Ligue 1 is set to be an important first game for Olympique Lyonnais, who will go to Lens for the kick-off. Prior to this trip, coach Paulo Fonseca briefly opened collective press training, with a staff of 24 players present, including new recruits like Tyler Mort MonoBehaviour and Adam Karabec. However, the notable absence of Nemanja Matic, an experienced midfielder whose departure is imminent due to his high salary, was noticed. This absence may indicate that the 37-year-old is no longer in Fonseca’s plans, especially since he is suspended for the first two games of the season following an altercation in the previous match. Other players like Orel Manga and Ernest Nuamah were also absent due to injuries, just like Paul Akuo.

The story of Pierre Sage, the former Lyon coach, is particularly interesting in this context. After saving the club in the 2023/2024 season, leading him even to the Europa League, he was replaced by Paulo Fonseca. Despite this transition, Sage remains deeply attached to Lyon, as he recently expressed, emphasizing a personal and emotional connection with the city and the club. He spoke regularly in contact with the supporters and received messages of thanks for his past role, both for avoiding relegation and for the spectacular upsurge of the team. The question therefore arises whether this attachment will influence the dynamics of the upcoming game.

In addition, Ryan Cherki’s career development, a Lyon midfielder now operating in Manchester City, is also notable. After wearing number 29 at the World Cup of Clubs, he got number 10, a historically important jersey in the club. This choice reflects the confidence of Pep Guardiola and the expectation around the young player, considered a promising talent. This climb continues to highlight the potential of players trained in Lyon and their ability to flourish in larger clubs.