Rangers v Lyon: French side travel to Glasgow ‘looking for identity & rhythm’

Lyon were en route to a seventh successive league title when Karim Benzema, Juninho Pernambucano and company came to Glasgow seeking to avenge an incredible 3-0 defeat in France.

That they did, by the same scoreline, as Rangers subsequently tumbled into the Uefa Cup and ended up in the 2008 final in Manchester.

But Lyon have not won the domestic title since. Although they were still a decent side when they returned to Ibrox in 2021 with Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta pulling the strings, their star has definitely waned.

Indeed they were in danger of being relegated when Pierre Sage was asked to step up from his academy role to take the reins on an interim basis after Fabio Grosso was sacked last November, with the team languishing in bottom spot.

Sage resuscitated the ailing club and eventually led them to sixth place, their best finish in three years, and back into Europe.

The purse strings were loosened in January as Sage was given the manager’s job permanently, allowing him to strengthen and mould the squad as he saw fit.

In came veteran Nemanja Matic to steady the ship in midfield, Said Benrahma on loan from West Ham, plus Gift Orban and Malick Fofana from Genk and Gent, respectively, to add to the attacking threat.

All contributed to a much improved second half of the season, but Lyon decided more investment was required.