New Olympique Lyonnais Captain Cris Aims For Ligue 1 Title

Experience centre-back Cris was handed the Olympique Lyonnais captaincy last weekend and has promised to help his side win back the Ligue 1 championship, which fell into Girondins de Bordeaux’s hands last year after OL enjoyed a seven-year monopoly on the trophy.

Cris was named as les Gones new general last week after Sidney Govou committed a misdemeanour in the middle of the week, but the Brazilian has insisted that the responsibility will not change his state of mind.

“I was surprised by the decision before the derby [against Saint-Etienne],” he confessed to L’Equipe. “But I respect the club and did not ask questions.

“The armband does not make a difference. If I am leading, it’s because this is my sixth season at Lyon. I consider myself an experienced player, and I can bring things to the squad.

“What I know, however, is that the armband does not change my state of mind.”

Speaking of the weekend’s 1-0 success over les Verts, Cris continued, “It has done us good. It's given us more confidence. It's time to remember that the primary objective this season is the championship.”

Though Cris may covet Ligue 1 success highly, OL can book their place in the knockout round of the Champions League if they avoid defeat against Liverpool at Stade Gerland on Wednesday evening. The Brazilian, les Gones’ only fully fit centre-back at present, will have a great role to play if Claude Puel’s men are to be successful.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com