OL teams, including the U19, resumed summer training for the start of the championship on 24 August. This preparation, which spans more than a month, is crucial for Florent Balmonte and his players to be fully operational for the new season. The program includes a tournament at CariSport in early August, complemented by an internship in Chollet where the U19 will face Nantes on July 30. This trip to the Pays de la Loire aims to strengthen the links within the group, which has undergone some changes with the arrival of five new recruits and the promotion of some players to the reserve.

The previous season revealed a major defensive fragility for OL, with 46 goals conceded in 34 Ligue 1 games, making it the league’s eighth weakest defense. These defensive gaps have often compromised the club’s ability to maintain scoring advantages, resulting in a great deal of uncertainty for fans during the matches. This weakness was also evident in the Europa League, with 16 goals in 12 games, including a particularly illustrative example against Manchester United, where the team conceded equalization at the end of the game after leading 4-2. In total, OL took 65 goals in 48 games, an average of 1.35 goals per game.

In view of the recovery in Ligue 1, Paulo Fonseca and his staff pay particular attention to defence. Nicolas Puydébois, former OL goaltender, stresses the importance of strengthening the central defence, especially with the arrival of Teo Barisic, able to play both side and center. He insists on the need for players like Moussa Niakhaté to fully invest and guarantee defensive regularity. Puydébois emphasizes the fundamental nature of the positions of central defenders, which must be regular and efficient, as well as other key positions. He concluded by stressing that the primary objective for an OL player is to serve the club and contribute to its success, rather than simply seeking to earn money.