Cris validates the arrival of Grosso on the bench

Cris, then coach at OL, and Fabio Grosso stationed at Juventus in 2016 (©PHOTOPQR/LE PROGRES/Stephane Guiochon /MaxPPP)

Former OL teammates, Cris and Fabio Grosso also competed as coaches at the start of their careers. The former Brazilian defender validates the choice of the Italian coach.

He made a first good impression. We must always be wary of it, especially with Lyon coaches in recent years, but in the hostile climate that reigns atOL in recent weeks, Fabio Grosso brought some sunshine on Monday. Smiling and polite, the Italian coach took part in the question and answer game with the journalists, even if he sometimes found ways not to fully answer certain subjects. A little later in the afternoon, he met his group and will begin preparing for the trip to Brest (Saturday, 9 p.m.) starting this Tuesday.

The arrival of Grosso has in any case triggered a wave of optimism in Lyon despite the pedigree of the Italian coach. “I’m happy that he’s arriving at OL. As a player, he was exemplary, remembered Cris on Prime Video. He didn’t talk much, but he just talked. He has this professional side, because he is Italian. As a coach, I was lucky to know him, because I wanted to do the internship with him when I completed my coaching diplomas. I think his arrival is a good thing.”

“He arrives with a staff, that’s good”

Having played together at OL, Cris and Fabius Grosso practically began their coaching careers at the same time. They also faced each other during a Youth League match between the Lyon U19s and those of the Juventus Turin in October 2016 near the Décines training center. A clear victory for the Turinese (0-3) against Houssem’s teammates Aouar. Seven years later, Fabio Grosso returns to OL and does not arrive alone, accompanied by four deputies as he confided Monday at a press conference.

While waiting to know the final composition of his staff, Cris believes that it is a good thing to see the Italian relying on human skills that he knows well to change the dynamic of OL. “I think his arrival is a good thing. In addition, he comes with four assistants. He has a staff in place and he will therefore be able to coach as he wants.” We still have to give him his hands completely free…