It was June 11, 2019, the eve of France’s World Cup match against Norway, and Corinne Diacre was dazzling the press with her deadpan humor. “I’m strict and intransigent,” she joked. “We don’t have any fun here. The girls are very unhappy.” And the media laughed and laughed.
The only problem is that her players actually are unhappy. And Diacre is on the brink of losing control of a once-formidable France squad.
Continue reading “France Coach Corinne Diacre Just Can’t Get Along”
Sports is not a priority right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has rightfully taken its place. It is important that you follow the instructions of your local government and health institutions: even if you think that COVID-19 will not affect you, you could spread it to someone who would be affected by it. This article does not seek to belittle the ongoing pandemic, but while most of us are cooped up at home, it’s nice to be able to talk about football.
Cover: ol.fr
At the time of writing, football worldwide has faded in the background. On Tuesday afternoon, UEFA suspended European competitions and made the unprecedented move to postpone EURO 2020 to next year in the hope that the current season can conclude. France, like most of the world, is battling a pandemic that is straining health resources and personnel.
Amid all the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, the future of the 2019/2020 Ligue 1 season, like football elsewhere, has clouded over. For a few days, weeks or months, football was set to become secondary. That changed with jarring effect over the weekend, when the pandemic gave way to a polemic.
Continue reading “Ligue 1: What Will French Football Look Like After COVID-19?”
It’s a new year and everything is upside down for Lyon. Is this optimism and positivity we’re feeling for the men’s team? Nerves and dread for the women’s team? 2020 is a strange new world, but Sam (@OZOL1950) and Arianna (@AScavs) are back to break down these surprising developments in Episode 12 of the Lyon Offside Podcast.
Continue reading “Podcast: Episode 12 – Topsy-Turvy in 2020”
Gather around the hearth, bring all the mulled wine you can carry—you will need the booze, trust us—because the Lyon Offside team is back with some depressing Christmas-time crisis stories. Join Arianna (@AScavs), Nicholas (@NicholasMamo) and Sam (@OZOL1950) as they break down the current impasse at Lyon.
Cover: S. Guiochon/Le Progrès
Continue reading “Podcast: Episode 11 – A Grinchy Lyonnais Christmas”
It’s almost that time of the year again. By that, I most certainly don’t mean the Champions League group stage. I mean the annual retreat that Neymar likes to take back in his home country, Brazil. This year, Sylvinho might beat Neymar. Starved for the sweet taste of victory, Arianna (@AScavs), Nicholas (@NicholasMamo) and Sam (@OZOL1950) get together for an emergency reunion turned therapy session.
Cover: ol.fr
Continue reading “Podcast: Episode 10 – Samba Cut Short?”
Lyon Offside 