A long, dark tunnel and no light at the end: Les Lyonnais' crisis hits new depths

Olympique Lyonnais suffered a defeat against Clermont this Sunday at Groupama Stadium, closing the ninth round of Ligue 1 with a score of 1-2. The team, which has yet to secure a win this season, is now firmly at the bottom of the league.

It's been a never-ending nightmare for OL. They are going through a nightmarish start to the season. Already mired in a crisis, Lyon once again fell to Clermont this Sunday in the closing match of the ninth round of Ligue 1 (1-2). Despite the vocal encouragement from the supporters at their stadium, Les Lyonnais experienced another home defeat against modest opposition.

A header from Muhammed Cham and a curled shot by Yohann Magnin in the first half dashed the hopes of Alexandre Lacazette and his teammates, who managed to reduce the deficit with a deflected Corentin Tolisso shot just after the break. The hosts were expected to build on the goal and turn the game around, but the comeback never happened. Head coach Fabio Grosso tried to rejuvenate his team at half-time by substituting players like Rayan Cherki and introducing Ernest Nuamah, who made several dashes and breakthroughs in the opponent's half.

However, despite the presence of American owner John Textor, Lyon's improved performance in the second half did not translate into goals. They were imprecise and inefficient in the final third. Lyon suffered their sixth defeat in nine rounds and remained firmly at the bottom of the league, six points behind Lens, the first team above the relegation zone. The situation only deepens their crisis.

It has now been five months since they last won a competitive match (3-0 against Reims on 27 May). This is an eternity for a team that has been seven-time French champions. Appointed to the bench last month, replacing Laurent Blanc, Grosso has had a terrible start with three losses and one draw in four games.

"We are very disappointed because we wanted to win this match. You have to make every effort and be aware of the situation. We had prepared well, but we were tense. We conceded two goals too easily. We had several chances to score, but when you don't have the confidence, it's complicated. We must do better. I said I will never give up, I feel a great responsibility. I'm trying to find the best eleven. We didn't have a good first half, but we deserved more in the second half. As soon as you don't have the right energy, the right confidence, it's difficult. You have to raise your head, look forward."

Marseille's downfall continues with another loss under Gattuso

They need to stop the bleeding urgently, starting with an away match against Marseille next Sunday, which promises to be a heated clash at the Velodrome. With OM's boss, Gennaro Gattuso, also experiencing a tough start in Ligue 1, the reunion of the former Italy teammates won't be a happy one - but one marked by nerves and worries.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 9

Friday

Le Havre - Lens 0-0

Saturday

Paris Saint-Germain - Strasbourg 3-0 (2-0)

/Mbappe 10 pen, Soler 31, Ruiz 77/

Nice - Olympique Marseille 1-0 (1-0)

/Guessand 79/

Sunday

Lorient - Rennes 2-1 (2-1)

/Omari 4 og, Toure 45+1 - Blas 21/

Lille - Brest 1-0 (1-0)

/Yazici 6/

Nantes - Montpellier 2-0 (1-0)

/Mollet 44, Bamba 74/

Toulouse - Reims 1-1 (0-0)

/Dallinga 51 - Richardson 48/

Monaco - Metz 2-1 (0-1)

/Golovin 42, 55 - Camara 4/

Olympique Lyon - Clermont 1-2 (0-2)

/Ogier 52 og - Cham 10, Magnin 35/