In the summer of 2017, when the Belgian footballer Orel Mangala started getting his first senior minutes in the Stuttgart jersey, Nemanja Matić moved from Chelsea to Manchester United for almost 45,000,000 euros. Six and a half years later, the two became teammates and were hired by Olympique de Lyon during the same transfer window. An interesting statement was made by the Belgian, 10 years younger, about his new partner in the midfield before the meeting with Metz in the 23rd round of the French Ligue 1.Since the arrival of the two, Olympique has won four games. They defeated Olympique Marseille (1-0), Lille in the cup (2-1), Montpellier (2-1) and Nice (1-0) respectively, and escaped from the relegation zone.𝘊𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘦́𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘦 ❤💙#OLOGCN 📸 @DamienLGphoto pic.twitter.com/vKU315jAi3— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) February 17, 2024 Everyone who follows Lyon attributes the series of excellent results to a tighter midfield compared to the first half-season, and above all to the Serbian footballer. However, the fact is that Mangala also deserved praise.”There is a lot of competition, but I feel good with all my teammates around me. When we get along well off the field, everything is much easier. What can I say about Matic? I knew him from television and PlayStation. A player like him definitely makes your job easier,” Mangala said.Metz’s strategist Laszlo Boloni did not ignore Matic’s contribution in Lyon either.”Lyon is a big club, I expected them to play at a higher level from the beginning of the season. This is not a good season for them, not in line with their ambitions. I think they did an interesting transfer window this winter, they strengthened their attack and brought in Nemanja Matić to stabilize their defense,” analyzed Boloni.Lyon aim for more on Ligue 1 recovery missionAfter the rise of Lyon and Lorient in the second half-season, Metz and Clermont were left alone in the relegation zone. Nantes – that is, the position that leads to the play-off – have five points more than the team coached by a Romanian expert.In the first half of the season, Lyon and Metz played 1-1. It was their fourth consecutive clash in which the game ended with both sides scoring.LIGUE 1Friday23.00: (4.20) Metz (3.50) Olympique Lyon (2.00)Saturday19.00: (2.55) Lorient (3.20) Nantes (2.85)23.00: (3.10) Strasbourg (3.25) Brest (2.55)Sunday15.00: (2.50) Lens (3.50) Monaco (2.95)17.00: (1.50) Nice (4.20) Clermont (8.00)17.00: (4.30) Toulouse (3.60) Lille (1.95)17.00: (3.15) Le Havre (3.35) Reims (2.45)19.05: (1.48) PSG (4.40) Rennes (6.75)22.45: (1.75) Olympique Marseille (3.70) Montpellier (5.40)***odds are subject to change
