Group Stage Fan Preview: Lyon

There was once a time when other clubs dreaded facing Lyon in the Champions League. Ten years ago, they were the French giants, a team to be feared and the perpetual dark horse of the competition.

Those were the years of Juninho, Malouda, and Benzema, followed by Lloris, Toulalan, and Lisandro. It was an age of attractive football, beautiful teamwork, and a work ethic that put many others to shame. This was a club that was going to win it all. And they came so close – in 2010, they reached the Champions League semifinals for the first time. Across the world, all Lyonnais held their breaths – was this it? The moment that all had been waiting for?

Sadly, it was not to be, as they lost decisively to Bayern Munich. Lyon’s Champions League ambitions were buried in the Allianz Arena, and though they would reach the knockout rounds the next two seasons, the shining hope that represented Lyon’s European dreams had dimmed.

It was as if the club realized that no matter how hard they tried, they were too small to offer a real challenge to the bigger teams. Coupled with failing domestic campaigns – they never regained the title after losing it in 2008 – the club lost its allure as a potential European heavyweight. And with Monaco and PSG being purchased by billionaire investors soon after, Lyon felt the financial gulf more than ever.