Moussa Niakhaté: "Lyon must bounce back and fight for the podium!”

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Olympique Lyonnais center back Moussa Niakhaté has stated they will bounce back after a painful elimination from the UEFA Europa League at the hands of Manchester United and a French Ligue 1 derby loss to AS Saint-Étienne.

The Senegal international faced the press on Friday ahead of Lyon’s league match against Stade Rennes, as he asserted OL will bounce back from the defeats:

“We are going to bounce back by working hard and remembering what has made us strong since the start of the season. We need to rediscover our determination, the determination that will take OL back to where it belongs. It is mainly a mental challenge. What happened in the derby and against Manchester are very rare occurrences. We have to know how to bounce back. We are still the same players, and we have to get back on track quickly because the deadlines are fast approaching.”

Lyon supporters made it clear that they are frustrated with the results, as they put up a banner outside the training center that reads: "From pride to shame. Four matches for the podium."

Niakhaté admitted the frustration and vowed to end the season on a high:

“I think all OL fans have suffered, not just the dressing room. We have to remember who we are. It's up to us to do the job. Of course, the dressing room has been shaken up. The Europa League was a big goal, and we were close to achieving something great. But we have to switch gears because there are still games to play. We have to keep working and get our heads back in the game. We don't have time to dwell on it.”

Lyon are sixth with 51 points, three points off the last UEFA Champions League spot. Senegalese international Niakhaté, 29, has made 27 Ligue 1 appearances this season after joining from English side Nottingham Forest during the transfer window.