**Olympique Lyonnais Struggle to Recover After Champions League Defeat**
Olympique Lyonnais face a challenging period in Ligue 1 following a 3-1 defeat at Zenit Saint-Petersburg in the Champions League, leaving them in a difficult position in the race for the last 16.
After securing a 1-1 draw against Monaco last week, Lyon, currently sixth in Ligue 1, turn their attention to Toulouse this weekend for Matchday 11. The team’s defensive frailties have been exposed, and offensive struggles have compounded their woes. Since Nabil Fekir’s injury, Lyon have scored just seven goals in their last eight games, four of which came from set pieces.
Speaking at a Thursday press conference, defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa acknowledged the team’s struggles. “It’s true that Nabil’s absence is hurting us, but we have a good squad. We need to make more of an effort to get back to winning ways, to rediscover the Lyon of last season. What’s not working? Everything isn’t working,” he said.
Yanga-Mbiwa, who joined Lyon this summer to strengthen central defence, also reflected on the integration of new recruits including Darder, Morel, Beauvue, Rafael, and Valbuena. “Everything is wrong. It’s clear there’s tension, like in all other locker rooms. In these periods, we find more faults in each other. The solution is to get to work and tell each other things face to face.”
On a personal level, Yanga-Mbiwa admitted to a difficult start. “My start to the season has been catastrophic, like the rest of the team. But I haven’t lost confidence,” he added, demonstrating his resolve to help Lyon regain form.
As Lyon look to stabilize in the league, this weekend’s encounter with Toulouse represents an opportunity to rebuild confidence and address both defensive and offensive shortcomings before returning to European competition.
—
