PIERRE SAGE'S LYON 4-3-3 POSSESSION DOMINANT TACTIC FINISHED 2ND WITH LYON

Turning the Tide: How Pierre Sage Revived Lyon's 2023/24 Season

This season has been a tumultuous journey for Lyon supporters, with the team initially struggling at the bottom of the table. A club known for its storied past, Lyon found itself far from its former glory, as previous managers Laurent Blanc and Fabio Grosso—both World Cup winners—failed to translate their on-field success into coaching. In came Pierre Sage, an unproven French coach known more for nurturing young talent than managing at the top level. Despite his lack of experience, Sage took over a team in crisis, winning just one of their last 12 matches. However, he quickly revitalized the squad, boosting their morale and guiding them towards the upper half of the Ligue 1 standings. With a Coupe de France semi-final on the horizon, Sage's efforts have brought renewed hope, thanks to improved defensive organization and a harmonious dressing room.

This tactical analysis will explore how Pierre Sage has addressed the issues that threatened Lyon's season before his arrival. Emphasizing a faster tempo and modern aggressive play, this analysis will delve into how Sage's tactics reflect his footballing philosophy, focusing on positional play and creativity.

### The Winter Overhaul

While much of the credit for Lyon's transformation goes to Pierre Sage, it's important to note the club's significant investment during the January transfer window. Lyon spent over €50 million, the most in Europe at the time, to address key weaknesses. They secured loan deals for Premier League talents Saïd Benrahma and Orel Mangala, brought in Malick Fofana and Gift Orban from KAA Gent, and signed experienced midfielder Nemanja Matić. These acquisitions not only strengthened the squad but also allowed Sage to implement his ideas effectively, adding depth and competition for places.

### Sage's Possession Play

Upon taking over from Fabio Grosso, Sage prioritized winning matches by any means necessary. As results improved, he gradually introduced tactical nuances that align with his long-term vision. Initially focusing on simplifying tactics, Sage's approach brought a refreshing change to Lyon's play, making the team more efficient on both ends of the field.

Lyon often lines up in a 4-3-3 formation, central to Sage's strategy and designed to optimize the team's star players. Nemanja Matić anchors the midfield, allowing Maxence Caqueret and Corentin Tolisso to play more advanced roles. This shift has enabled Caqueret to utilize his creative abilities further up the pitch, a change from his previous deeper position. Matić's experience and composure have been pivotal, exemplified by his perfect passing performance against Lorient, where he completed 83 passes without error.

With Matić as the defensive linchpin, Caqueret thrives in more offensive positions, exploiting spaces and connecting with Lyon's forward line. The fullbacks, such as Tagliafico and Maitland-Niles/Mata, also push high up the field, contributing to Lyon's aggressive attacking style. This setup often morphs into a 3-4-3 or 3-4-1-2, with Matić dropping into defense, creating space for the attackers to maneuver.

A recent game against Lorient highlighted the effectiveness of this approach. Lyon struggled to break down a stubborn defense until Nicolás Tagliafico headed in a crucial goal from a Clinton Mata cross, breaking the deadlock and allowing Lyon to play with more freedom.

### Rockstars in Transition

A key feature of Sage's Lyon is their quick, direct play, especially in transition. While he draws comparisons to Pep Guardiola for his in-possession tactics, Sage's pressing intensity resembles Jürgen Klopp's style. He encourages his team to "stop playing the cello and start playing the electric guitar," advocating for a high-energy, fast-paced game that unsettles opponents.

Lyon's pressing begins from the front, with the forwards leading the charge. In their match against OM, Matić intercepted a pass early on, initiating a swift counterattack. This aggressive approach is a marked improvement from earlier in the season, providing Lyon with more freedom to press without fear of being exposed defensively.

### Improved Defensive Stability

One of Sage's primary challenges was fixing Lyon's leaky defense. The team now transitions smoothly from attack to defense, often shifting from a 4-3-3 to a 5-2-3 with Matić dropping into the backline. This setup not only bolsters the defense but also keeps Lyon compact, preventing opponents from exploiting the flanks. For example, against OGC Nice, Lyon employed a proactive 4-1-4-1 formation, successfully neutralizing Nice's attacks and forcing turnovers.

In situations requiring more attacking impetus, Lyon can switch to a 4-2-3-1, with Matić and Caqueret forming a double pivot. While this occasionally leaves the flanks vulnerable, it allows Lyon to push forward with confidence, knowing they have a solid defensive base.

### Conclusion

Pierre Sage's appointment may not have initially excited Lyon fans, but his impact has exceeded expectations. The young French coach has breathed new life into the team, lifting them from the bottom of the table and fostering a positive atmosphere. As Lyon considers Sage's long-term future, it's clear that he has successfully blended experience and youth to restore stability and optimism at the club.

How to recreate this tactic in Football Manager 2024

To recreate Pierre Sage's tactical setup at Lyon in Football Manager 2024, follow these steps:

1. **Formation:** 

   Start with a 4-3-3 formation. Set a **deep-lying playmaker (DLP)** in the defensive midfield role, with Nemanja Matić's attributes in mind. Use **two advanced central midfielders (CM-A)** for players like Maxence Caqueret and Corentin Tolisso to push forward and create chances.

2. **Player Roles & Instructions:** 

   - **DLP (Defend):** Place the DLP centrally, focusing on short, precise passes and staying back to protect the defense. 

   - **CM-A (Attack):** Give freedom to roam, make forward runs, and link up with the attackers. 

   - **Fullbacks:** Set as **Wing Backs (Support)**, encouraging them to advance up the pitch and provide width. 

   - **Wingers:** Position the wingers as **Inside Forwards (Attack)**, cutting inside to shoot or link up with the striker. 

   - **Striker:** Use a **Complete Forward (Support)**, dropping deep to connect with midfielders and wingers.

3. **Team Instructions:** 

   - **Attacking Width:** Set to wide to utilize the fullbacks' advanced positions and stretch the opponent’s defense. 

   - **Tempo & Passing:** Opt for a higher tempo with mixed passing to encourage quick transitions and creative play. 

   - **Pressing:** Implement a high pressing intensity with the front line, mimicking Sage's aggressive pressing style. Use "Counter-Press" to regain possession quickly. 

   - **Defensive Line:** Use a standard defensive line, but adjust to a higher line when facing weaker opposition to maintain pressure. 

4. **In Transition:** 

   Set the team to counter quickly upon regaining possession. Have the goalkeeper distribute to the fullbacks or central defenders to initiate the first phase of build-up.

5. **Set Pieces:** 

  Assign taller players like central defenders to attack corners and set up playmakers on free kicks to maximize scoring opportunities.

This setup mirrors Sage’s balance of aggressive pressing, quick transitions, and structured defensive play, providing a dynamic and fluid attacking approach that can adapt based on the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses.