A week ago, everything was best at OL. One felt a relaxed and serene atmosphere within the dressing room, with smiles and jokes that showed a real osmosis between the players. However, seven days and two games later, this harmony seems to have been undermined. The group, often described as “living” and solid, seemed to lose its unity in the face of recent events.

The defeat in the derby against Saint-Étienne and the elimination in the semifinal of the Europa League highlighted the weaknesses of the Lyon team. While the club was within easy reach of a place on the Ligue 1 podium, it now seems that the old demons are coming up again. This chronic instability between Rhône and Saône does not leave indifferent, although the recent promotion of Gueïda Fofana at the head of the RWD Molenbeek does not reassure.

Paulo Fonseca, who has been in office since the beginning of February, is facing his first major crisis with OL. His exclusion from Brest and his heavy suspension had the effect of uniting his group, but he was wrong in the most important week of the Lyon season. His tactical choices, including Paul Akouokou’s use of the go match against Manchester United and the derby, were criticized.

The elimination in the Europa League and the loss of control of his destiny in Ligue 1 have added to the balance of Paulo Fonseca and his staff. During the game in Saint-Étienne, the Portuguese coach delegated his duties to Jorge Maciel, who is semb