The 2000-01 campaign was a pivotal season that delivered Lyon's first major trophy in 28 years as Les Gones clinched the Coupe de la Ligue title with a memorable 2-1 final victory over rivals Monaco. Under new manager Jacques Santini, the team also pushed hard for the league, ultimately finishing a strong 2nd place in Division 1 and securing Champions League qualification. Leading the charge was the prolific Brazilian talisman Sonny Anderson, whose 22 league goals proved decisive in a campaign that marked the definitive end of the club's trophy famine and laid the foundation for their future era of French dominance.