#OL70years one day, one season: 1954-55

Published on 01 June 2020 at 7:00 AM by

In 2020, Olympique Lyonnais celebrates its 70th anniversary. For the occasion, the club's media will, from May 26, the date of the official announcement of the club's creation, offer a look back into the team's history with a season every day of the week and thus go back in time to August 27, the date of the club's first official match.

The men of the season

Squad : Alberto, Antonio, Bonvin, Dechoux, Dutto, Duval, Farmanian, Fatton, Genet, Hjalmarsson, Jensen, Knayer, Konrady, Lerond, Manairaud, Marin, Mihoubi, Monnet, Ninel, Nowak, Nunge, Ramon, Sarrin, Schultz, Sinibaldi.

Manager : Oscar Heisserer then Julien Darui.

President : Armand Groslevin.

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The story of the season

Lyon were in the first division. OL recruited Pierre Sinibaldi, and he arrived with a solid reputation. He had played many matches in the top flight and been a French international. The supporters were eager to see him on the pitch. But alas, his physical condition was at an all-time low and he would only play one match, against Nancy, before leaving.

The other black mark on this season was the resignation of the legendary trainer Oscar Heisserer, who could not bear to be doubted. He would be replaced by Julien Darui who would also leave the club after six months. It was a difficult season but the goal of staying up was assured; it was imperative.

Match of the season: FC Nancy - OL

On April 24, 1955, OL beat Nancy (1-0, with a goal from Schultz) and guaranteed their safety in Division 1, two matchdays before the end of the season. Two months earlier, the Lyon sporting director had warned in Le Progrès: "If OL go down, the club will disappear".

The player of the season : Jacques Fatton

Fatton

Jacques Fatton, a Swiss international born in France, arrived at OL from Geneva Servette in late summer 1954. His first season was dazzling (20 goals, 9 assists); it was no wonder to see that type of play from a world class player who scored twice in Sao Paulo against Brazil in the 1950 World Cup.