There’s an argument to be made that the 2007-08 campaign stands as Lyon’s most successful season — a crowning apex in a decade of domestic dominance. That season delivered not just a Ligue 1 title, but the club’s first ever double (League + Coupe de France), powered by a standout performance, and legacy of that campaign — and ask whether any other season can truly rival it.
Why 2007-08 Is Often Considered Lyon’s Peak
To judge “most successful,” one must consider both trophies won and quality of performance across competitions. Lyon’s golden years in the 2000s were marked by seven straight Ligue 1 titles, but the 2007-08 season was different — it combined silverware with narrative, dominance and balance.
- Lyon claimed Ligue 1 in 2007-08, their seventh consecutive league title, under manager Alain Perrin.
- In the Coupe de France, they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1–0 after extra time in the final, securing their first Cup win in many decades and completing the club’s first-ever double.
- They also won the Trophée des Champions at the start of the campaign — adding to the trophy haul.
- In the UEFA Champions League, they progressed out of the group stage and made it to the Round of 16, not spectacular by European giants’ standards, but respectable for a French club in that era.
This combination — the domestic double plus a credible European run — gives 2007-08 the edge when comparing across seasons.
Statistical Highlights That Season
The numbers behind the trophies back up the narrative:
| Metric | Value | Notes |
| Ligue 1 record | 24 wins, 7 draws, 7 losses | 79 points total |
| Goals scored in Ligue 1 | 74 | Best attack in the league |
| Goals conceded in Ligue 1 | 37 | Strong defensive performance |
| Goal difference | +37 | Competitive margin over rivals |
| Top scorer (league) | Karim Benzema — 20 goals | He topped the scoring charts |
| Season total for Benzema (all competitions) | 31 goals | A major individual effort contributing to success |
| Coupe de France final | 1–0 (extra time) vs. PSG | Sidney Govou scored the winner in extra time (103′) |
Beyond raw numbers, context adds depth: Lyon’s consistency in that era made expectations high. The fact they sustained challenge, swept up the double, and navigated the pressures of a squad competing at multiple fronts is part of what elevates 2007-08 above their other campaigns.
Competing Seasons: Can Any Rival 2007-08?
While 2007-08 is the frontrunner, a few other seasons in Olympique Lyonnais’ history deserve mention in the debate:
The Inaugural Title Season (2001-02)
- Lyon’s first ever top-flight title, won on dramatic final day against Lens (3–1).
- But that season lacked cup success and deep European performance, so its historic weight is high, but combined trophy count is low.
Other Ligue 1 Dominance Years (2002–2007)
- Several seasons saw Lyon dominate domestically, often with comfortable point margins and strong performances.
- But none of those delivered the domestic double until 2007-08, and European progression was typically modest in those years.
2008-09 Season (After the Double)
- Coming off the double, Lyon had high expectations. But they finished 3rd in Ligue 1 and exited both domestic cups earlier.
- Their European run persisted, but this season lacks the trophy haul to challenge 2007-08.
In all, no season matches the combination of league, cup, narrative, statistical dominance, and squad momentum that 2007-08 achieved.
Key Players & Characters Behind That Campaign
A perfect season is never the work of one man — but a few names stood out:
- Karim Benzema — Breakout star, scoring 20 in the league and 31 in all competitions. His maturation into a go-to attacker was central.
- Sidney Govou — Club stalwart, scored the Cup final winner in extra time.
- Alain Perrin — The only manager so far in Lyon’s history to deliver the double, he navigated the pressures of maintaining the title streak while pushing for more.
- Squad contributors included Juninho, Jérémy Toulalan, Sébastien Squillaci, Anthony Réveillère — each providing depth and reliability that made rotation sustainable.
Legacy and Aftermath of the 2007-08 Season
That campaign left a durable imprint on Lyon’s identity:
- It marked the first and only domestic double in the club’s history up to that point.
- It became a benchmark — subsequent Lyon fans often compare other great sides to 2007-08.
- The momentum propelled into the next seasons, though the journey gradually shifted as financial pressures and competitive balance in Ligue 1 evolved.
- In European terms, though, Lyon never converted a domestic golden season into a deep Champions League run that year, so the continental ambitions remained unfulfilled.
Final Thoughts
Lyon most successful season? All evidence — trophies, stats, narrative, competitive balance — points to 2007-08. No other year combines domestic supremacy, historical firsts, and squad brilliance in quite the same way.
If you’re a Lyon fan or a statistics lover, there’s depth still to dig — match-to-match analysis, tactical shifts during that season, comparisons with rival clubs’ best years. KorKick invites you to explore further with us: pick a match, a player, a turning point — and let’s relive Lyon’s greatest season together.
