Lyon and PSG have lessons to learn after careless performances in Europe

Hubris Hampers Ligue 1 Giants Lyon and PSG in European and Domestic Fixtures

Complacency plagued both Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) recently, nearly costing PSG a Champions League berth and actually eliminating Lyon from the Europa League. Following PSG’s narrow escape in Champions League play, Ousmane Dembélé admitted, “We thought we were too good,” after they surrendered three goals. Echoing this sentiment after Lyon’s stunning three-goal collapse against Manchester United resulted in their Europa League semi-final exit, Malick Fofana stated, “We eased off a bit. We thought it was over but big matches are like that. It is a match I won’t forget.” Fofana recognized that both Lyon and PSG must refocus to salvage their seasons.

Lyon Grapples with Europa League Exit and Saint-Étienne Derby Defeat

Lyon’s manager, Paulo Fonseca, lamented their loss to Manchester United, stating, “We led 4-2 with one player less on the field, but we celebrated the 4-2 too much when the match was not finished. We should have continued managing the match. We lacked experience at that moment.” Lyon, facing Saint-Étienne in a derby shortly after, had limited time to dwell on their European setback.

French Ligue 1 managers often cite inexperience to explain European failures. While PSG fields the youngest squad in this Champions League season, experience wasn’t the deciding factor for Lyon against Manchester United. The average age of Lyon’s ten players at the end of the match was 26.6 years, comparable to Manchester United’s 26.7. Notably, Manchester United fielded three teenagers at full time, while Lyon had none.

Experience Versus Complacency: Lyon’s Downfall

European experience, however, is a distinct factor, highlighting Manchester United’s advantage. Manchester United’s starting eleven boasted an average of 55.4 European appearances per player, significantly more than Lyon’s 29.9. Yet, Lyon’s undoing also stemmed from seasoned players faltering. Corentin Tolisso confessed, “With the experience that I have, I should be smarter,” after receiving a red card. Alexandre Lacazette, in what may have been his final European appearance for Lyon, ignited the excessive celebrations following his penalty.

Derby Disappointment and Fan Misconduct Mar Lyon’s Week

Despite Fonseca’s attempts to move forward, stating “Manchester United is in the past,” the impact of the Old Trafford defeat was evident in Lyon’s subsequent 2-1 derby loss to Saint-Étienne. The match was marred by controversy, including a missed red card for Lucas Stassin of Saint-Étienne, who should have been dismissed for a challenge on Tolisso, a fact later acknowledged by refereeing officials. Furthermore, fan violence interrupted play when a projectile thrown by a Saint-Étienne supporter struck a linesman, leading to a 20-minute suspension of the match. Jorge Maciel, Fonseca’s assistant, condemned the incident as “ridiculous!”

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Fonseca dismissed concerns about his team being “demobilised” by the Manchester United defeat, but Lyon’s current sixth-place position in Ligue 1 necessitates a swift refocus to maintain their Champions League qualification aspirations.

PSG Aims to Maintain Focus After Securing Ligue 1 Title

For PSG, the challenge differs. Despite a recent Champions League defeat – their first loss in any competition since November 26 – they remain in the tournament. Manager Luis Enrique emphasized their “big motivation” to achieve a Ligue 1 invincible season. However, with the league title already secured, maintaining peak performance presents a unique hurdle.

Luis Enrique recognized the difficulty in keeping players “connected” after securing the league title, stating, “It is always difficult for players to stay connected. I am lucky because our players are connected, even those that play less.” Strategic squad rotation, while beneficial for managing player fatigue, carries the risk of disrupting team rhythm. For instance, Dembélé was rested for a recent league match, and Achraf Hakimi was 예정d to miss the game against Nantes.

Champions League Focus and Avoiding Complacency

Prior to their Champions League match, Luis Enrique cautioned his PSG squad against “excess of confidence,” warning that the “Champions League path is paved with favourites that were eliminated along the way.” The central task for PSG is sustaining focus as they navigate the remainder of the season, striving to demonstrate their status as a top European team consistently. Their earlier Champions League defeat to Arsenal should temper any overconfidence. Emerging from a less competitive Ligue 1 environment for the crucial stages of the Champions League will be a defining test of PSG’s progress.

Talking Points from Ligue 1 Action

Roberto De Zerbi’s unpredictable Marseille team showcased their volatility by decisively defeating Montpellier, scoring five goals. However, instability remains a persistent threat at Marseille. Despite this significant victory, De Zerbi is reportedly implementing drastic measures, potentially relocating the team to Rome for an extended period in an attempt to refocus and stabilize the squad, reflecting ongoing concerns about the training environment. Sporting director Medhi Benatia acknowledged internal challenges, stating, “I have never seen an environment where, when things aren’t going well, people inside the club try to stir up trouble. I’ve never experienced that.” Despite these challenges, Marseille currently holds second place in the league, aligning with their primary seasonal objective.

Montpellier remains statistically unique in Europe’s major leagues, being the only team yet to achieve a clean sheet this season. They did, however, break a near 800-minute scoring drought with a late goal against Marseille, although their likely relegation looms.

Managerial Spat Highlights Monaco-Strasbourg Draw

In a match between Champions League hopefuls Monaco and Strasbourg, the fear of defeat overshadowed attacking intent, resulting in a tepid goalless draw. Both teams had a goal disallowed in a physically contested match characterized by six yellow cards. Post-match discussions focused on a confrontation between managers Liam Rosenior of Strasbourg and Adi Hütter of Monaco, stemming from Rosenior’s dissatisfaction with Hütter’s handshake etiquette.

Rosenior cited a prior incident, stating, “It started during the return fixture,” and criticizing Hütter’s delayed handshake after the match. “There is a code I live by: you respect your opposition, you respect the people that you play against. I felt that the code was broken. When I have to wait five minutes for the opposition manager’s hand, that says a lot.”

Strasbourg has slipped to sixth in the Ligue 1 standings following two draws, yet their overall season represents significant progress. Having faced relegation concerns last season and undergoing a managerial change shortly before the season’s start, qualifying for European competition would surpass initial expectations.

This article is provided by Get French Football News.