Anthony Lopes was angry. After being Lyon’s undisputed starter in goal for more than a decade, the Portuguese goalkeeper, 34 on October 1, hardly appreciated – and that’s an understatement – his drop to fourth place in the pecking order. Rhone players.
Lopes saw Brazilian Lucas Perri, who was promoted to number 1 six months after his arrival from Brazil, and Rémy Descamps, who was recruited as number 2 to clearly show the direction at the exit, passed in front of him. But the 5th most capped player in the history of OL (489 matches in all competitions), was not registered to play in the Europa League, was sentenced to stay at home on game weekends and was subjected to probation of all the escape games in the department are not left.
“I don’t think I’m part of the hierarchy of goalkeepers at OL,” he explained bitterly in an interview with the Team. I am in the place that was given to me, which is to say nothing. I accepted the situation as best I could, knowing that I had no other options available to me. I’m in the training group but not in the hierarchy, because I can’t apply to play. »
Lopes refused to go into detail about his discussions with manager Pierre Sage and said he did not see the blow from his management when Perri joined the club at the start of the year.
“No one warned me that my place was in question,” he continued. Obviously I wasn’t told anything in January. I’d rather set the record straight on this point. (…) You should know that I have never been criticized for anything sporting or my participation in training or in the locker room…”
“OL informed Anthony Lopes of the situation”
On the part of Lyon, on the other hand, we present a completely different version. OL admits that the player has made his intentions known. “OL keeps Anthony Lopes and his representatives well informed about the situation and developments in the game,” it said. The club has assured him of supporting him as much as possible, while facilitating any sporting projects that come his way. »
Although he has not received any concrete offers in recent weeks, Lopes therefore wants to leave the banks of the Rhône and look for a new challenge. “The truth is that today I am watching the matches on the sofa,” breathed the man who understood from the summer preparatory matches that his fate was sealed.
The small consolation, Lopes appreciates the trust in the support of the supporters. The Bad Gones thus spread banners to support him. “I was touched, obviously. Who is not sensitive to that?, he shouted. The supporters’ support is all I have left at the club…”