the secrets of Johann Lepenant on his mixed first six months

The emotional elevator. This is what Johann Lepenant has been entitled to in recent months since his arrival at Olympique Lyonnais. Recruited for 4.25 M€ (+ 2.5 M€ bonus) while he was playing in Caen, in Ligue 2, the 20-year-old midfielder first surprised everyone by chaining matches and starts under Peter Bosz (10 in 11 Ligue 1 games under the Dutch technician). The French U20 international had even won praise from Bosz, impressed by his quality of play.

“We have often said that it was a surprisedropped the former Ajax coach in early October, just before his dismissal. It’s one for me too. He comes from Ligue 2 and at 19 you need time to adapt to this level. But he adapted right away. He still has to improve on points. It’s not easy to play in a team that doesn’t work and he’s getting there. » But now, since then, the situation has been very different for Johann Lepenant, who has played much less since the arrival of Laurent Blanc on the Gones bench (5 games out of 10 possible, no tenure), the President preferring to bet on experience in the midfield.

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Lepenant does not take the lead

Present at a press conference before OL’s trip to Chambéry, this Saturday (3:30 p.m.), as part of the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, the native of Granville confided in his mixed first six months, so , near Groupama Stadium. “It’s true that at the beginning, I played a lot, for a while I’ve been playing a little less, that’s footballhe first launched, before continuing. I’m learning, I came here to learn. Right now, I’m working in training, I’m ready in case if the coach puts me on the pitch, I stay focused on me. As soon as I can play, I will give my max. »

Johann Lepenant then assured that he had not been more upset than that mentally by sitting on the bench and no longer being part of Laurent Blanc’s starting XI. “In my head, I tell myself that if I play less, I have to work more, that’s what I do every day, to try to scratch some playing time. It didn’t bother me more than something else, apart from the fact that I have to work and that the day I am put on the field, to show what I can do “. This situation, however, made the young man realize that he had to do more.

The bench, a blessing in disguise in his daily work

“Where have I progressed? Let’s say, in my daily work. I know at first I was playing, but I could do more during the week. I didn’t necessarily go to the theater, all that. I’m trying to work a little more on myself, I think that’s what I’ve improved on.”, he revealed this Friday to journalists. And the Lyonnais to be positive, looking calm and serene. “The coach had spoken from experience when he arrived. I am young, I came to Lyon to learn. The coach told me that I still had a lot to learn. I learn a lot every day alongside my partners, you have to stay hooked, and work, learn, and stay in this group, which is a very good group. » While waiting to completely make his mark at OL, Lepenant knows what he has left to do.