Lyon began their pre-season with a defeat against Swiss outfit Servette de Genève at the Stade Pierre Rajon in Bourgoin-Jallieu.
New manager Sylvinho took the opportunity to experiment as he gets to know his new players and fielded a different XI in each half. He also gave several youngsters the chance to impress.
The initial line-up was Lopes (cap.) – Tete, Marcelo, Denayer, Marçal – Cheikh, Thomas, Y. Fekir – Cherki, Kitala, Pintor. It was an experienced back line on paper, but they began poorly, shipping a goal after only two minutes and going further behind just after the half hour mark. By the time the second goal went in, Kitala had already been replaced by 19-year-old English forward Reo Griffiths.
Lyon fought their way back into the game during the second period, when they fielded the following selection: Racioppi – Augarreau, Dramé, Yanga Mbiwa, Deyonge – Jean Lucas, Thiago Mendes, Ndiaye – Fofana, Gouiri, Terrier (cap.), with Yann Kitala coming back on for Fofana in the 76th minute. Martin Terrier converted a penalty two minutes later to reduce the deficit, but Sylvinho’s men weren’t able to get back on level terms before the final whistle.