Lacazette's leadership helps OL

Alexandre Lacazette's return to Olympique Lyonnais has been, on a personal level for the veteran striker, an unqualified success. Since returning to his boyhood club from Arsenal in 2022, he has scored more than fifty times for Les Gones, helping his side reach the final of the Coupe de France last season and -- in dramatic fashion, against Friday's opponent, return to Europe thanks to a stoppage time penalty to beat Strasbourg. The two teams played out another thrilling encounter to start Matchday 3 at Groupama Stadium, with the hosts rolling out 4-3 winners, but strangely the captain, despite playing 90 minutes, was not on the scoresheet.

A new role  

With the striker now 33, and the young Nigerian Gift Orban having scored a brace, one might be tempted to think that Lacazette, especially off the back of a busy summer, might be a bit past his best, but nothing could be further from the truth, something which Orban was quick to mention post-match, saying "I would prefer to award the Man of the Match to the captain, Lacazette. It's nice to play with an exemplary captain, who is very humble. Playing with a legend like Lacazette is a great point of pride.” 

Indeed, Lacazette not only set up his younger teammate, but was also involved in the buildup for goals scored by Corentin Tolisso and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, even earning a mark of 8 from L'Équipe, as well as the plaudits of his manager, Pierre Sage. "There is an extra dimension to Alex -- he is a real team player. He does everything for the team, and is not always recognized for this." That element of his play -- whether it be hold-up play, pressing, or unselfish passing, as he showed on Friday, will be of vital importance as Lyon navigate a return to Europe with a still largely callow team -- Lacazette may not be on the scoresheet as frequently as he has been in recent campaigns, but his ethos and leadership will no doubt prove pivotal if his side are to have a successful campaign.  

Building from the olympics

Of course, part of this new visage of Lacazette's will have come not only from having been captain of his club side, but in having helped France reach the final at this summer's Olympic Games. As one of three overage players in the side -- and the only one of those with significant experience and success on Europe's biggest stages -- he was not only the captain but an important lynchpin for the team's success as he led them through dramatic wins against Argentina and Egypt, the latter in extra time, before ultimately falling to Spain in the final.

Speaking earlier this summer to FIFA, he remarked on what a massive honor that being named captain of that side was for him. “I’m so proud, because this shows that throughout my entire career, I have been exemplary enough to earn this responsibility. I am delighted to have been accepted as captain by the group, there’s been no jealousy” 

Thus, despite their rocky start to the season, under the leadership of Lacazette, his young teammates remain an exciting watch, and one full of potential as they face Racing Club de Lens after the break in what's sure to be a cracking encounter.

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