Tolisso admits Lyon's top-three hopes fading after Angers stalemate
Olympique Lyonnais captain Corentin Tolisso has conceded his side's hopes of a top-three finish are in serious jeopardy after a 0-0 draw with Angers extended their winless run. The result at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday means Lyon have now failed to win any of their last eight matches across all competitions, a streak dating back to February 15. The stalemate leaves them vulnerable to dropping to sixth place in Ligue 1, a significant setback for a club that began the season with Champions League qualification as a primary objective.
Speaking to Ligue 1+ after the match, Tolisso did not hide his disappointment. He acknowledged that a victory would have put Lyon in contention for third place, a position now looking increasingly distant. The midfielder admitted the team is stuck in a negative cycle, finding it complicated to secure wins despite their efforts in training. With only six matches remaining in the campaign, Tolisso issued a stark assessment of what is required, stating the team must win all six to have any chance of finishing in the higher reaches of the table.
The captain's rallying cry comes amid a deeply frustrating period for manager Peter Bosz and his squad. Lyon's attack, often vibrant in previous seasons, has misfired consistently during this poor run, failing to score in four of their last five league outings. The club's ambitions have been severely dented, with the gap to the European places widening at a critical stage of the season. Tolisso himself was substituted after an hour against Angers as a precaution, adding another concern for the club's medical staff.
Lyon's remaining fixture list presents a formidable challenge, making a perfect run seem improbable. Among their final six games is a daunting trip to face league leaders Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes in two weeks' time. The context makes Tolisso's call for six consecutive victories appear more like a necessary mantra than a realistic expectation, underscoring the scale of the collapse the team must overcome.
The 28-year-old Tolisso, a World Cup winner with France in 2018, returned to Lyon last summer on a free transfer after his contract with Bayern Munich expired. His homecoming was meant to herald a new era and help steer the club back into the Champions League, but the season has not unfolded as planned. His leadership will be tested in the final weeks as Lyon seek to salvage something from a campaign that promised far more.
For Lyon, the implications of missing out on European football entirely would be severe, impacting both finances and their ability to attract and retain top talent. The club's hierarchy is expected to conduct a thorough review at season's end, with pressure mounting on Bosz. While Tolisso insists the team will fight until the end, the growing sense is that this season's primary objectives have already slipped away, turning the final matches into an audition for roles in next year's project.
