Lopes: Character is key to salvaging season | OneFootball

Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes insists his side must show character if they are to pull themselves off the bottom of the table after failing to win any of their opening nine league games.

Fabio Grosso's side dropped to the foot of the table after suffering a 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Clermont on Sunday.

Goals from Muhammed-Cham Saracevic and Yohann Magnin forced the visitors into a commanding lead and despite pulling one back through a Florent Ogier own-goal, OL were unable to snatch at least a point.

The seven-time title winners were subjected to whistles from the home support at full time and Lopes admits Lyon find themselves in a precarious position.

"We started the game badly, we can't deny that," he told Prime Video after seeing his side fall to their sixth defeat of the season. "We know that in our situation if we start the game so poorly, without being aggressive, we will pay the price."

Frustration

Clermont's contentious opener was a huge first-half talking point as Shamar Nicholson's chest control was checked and verified by VAR, despite Lyon protesting the Jamaica international had handled the ball before assisting his side's opener.

"I would have liked another look at the first goal as to whether there was a hand or not." Lopes added. "I find it incredible that a ball that comes from behind can be controlled on the chest but that's how it is, we can't go back.

"It unsettled us, then they scored a nice second goal. When you chase the game in our situation, it's very complicated."

The Lyon No.1 continued: "We are in a very difficult situation which the club has not been in for years.

"I don't know if many players have experienced this situation. It is only with players of character that we will be able to get by. We're last after nine days and now we'll have to try to look ahead, what we've done in the past is over.

"We've been poor but now we all have to move forward together. No one will help us get our heads out of the water except our supporters who have responded again despite the situation. We have to get by together, that's what we're going to try to do."

>> CLERMONT LEAVE LYON BOTTOM OF THE TABLE