PROFILE | Dependable Nemanja Matić a valuable short-term fix at Lyon | OneFootball

Arriving at Rennes, Nemanja Matic struggled to settle in Northern France and after just six months at Roazhon Park was looking for a new opportunity. Not quite ready to abandon ship on the prospect of playing in Ligue 1, the Serbian defensive midfielder was offered a second chance when Lyon showed an interest in securing his services. A chance that he has taken with both hands.

Winning the Premier League with Chelsea and the Europa League with Manchester United, he brought instant top-level experience and know-how to an OL team that was severely lacking in that department. In addition to his experience, a specialist defensive midfielder is something that the Rhone club have been searching for over several transfer windows. Although not a long-term solution, with the midfielder turning 37 in 2025, they have been able to find this in Matic.

During the first half of last season, Lyon were incredibly fragile defensively and weak in attack, resulting in the reality of a relegation battle. Following the arrival of the former Roma midfielder, the fortunes of one of France’s biggest clubs suddenly changed. Les Gones’ dramatic comeback could not be solely credited to the qualities of the 36-year-old, but they had a major impact.

Matić’s experience invaluable

The Serbian added security to Gones backline that was often suspected of giving away cheap goals or being open. These issues have not completely disappeared but the addition of a sitting midfielder, with such positional awareness, who has played almost 700 matches for club and country certainly helped matters.

Additionally, the inclusion of Matic at the base of midfield increased Lyon’s control in midfield. Several of their hectic scorelines and comeback victories in the second half of last season paint a contrasting picture, but when this got out of hand, he was able to dictate tempo and slow things down to regain control of the match.

This season, the Serbian international still proves to be an important figure in Pierre Sage’s midfield and tactical set-up. Nevertheless, the French head coach is left with the difficult task at exploring possible ways his side will be able to manage without him. Injuries have seen him miss five matches this season and with his contract coming to an end when the season finishes, Lyon will be forced to find an alternative solution to someone who has become an almost indispensable figure.

GFFN | Liam Wraith