Damien Da Silva “surprised” by OL’s difficult start to the season

Alexandre Lacazette and Damien Da Silva during OL – Liverpool in a friendly match in December 2022 (@dubaisupercup)

The former Lyonnais and Rennais returned without bitterness to his contrasting adventure between Rhône and Saône, a year after his departure for Australia in February 2023.

Damien Da Silva will not remain in the annals of the Lyon club. With 24 appearances in Ligue 1 with OL, the defender has not had the opportunity to make an impression on the supporters’ minds. However, Da Silva has always maintained a good attitude in training. He does not regret having attempted the Lyon challenge, convinced by Juninho, sports director at the time. After his successful stints at Caen then Rennes, the left-hander did not want to refuse this proposal at 33 years old.

However, his lack of playing time got the better of this experience between Rhône and Saône. “It was very complicated, I’m not going to hide it. Not playing on weekends, I suffered greatly from going long periods without playing“, recognizes Da Silva today in an interview given to the websiteEurosport. “A year and a half later, given my lack of playing time, it was time to discover something else“, he specifies. So heading to Australia and the Melbourne Victory club last February. An exotic championship in which he claims not to be “came into early retirement“.

“I know the players don’t give up“

More than 15,000 kilometers away, the former Lyon defender continues to follow the French championship. In particular its former clubs which face each other this Friday at Décines (9 p.m.). The 35-year-old, managed by Julien Stephanduring his visit to Rennes, admits “be surprised at the start of the season” very complicated for OL (16th in L1 after 18 days).

“In football, the collective must take action. OL is not a club that is used to finding itself in this positionexplains Da Silva. This is not easy to deal with for players and people in the club environment.”

The former Lyonnais, who worked under Peter’s orders Bosz and Laurent Blanc, nevertheless remains confident for the rest of the season. “I know that the players are not giving up and the latest positive results have proven it. The important thing for OL is to move forward.“