tied, OL let two points slip away in Reims

Disturbed behind the scenes by the financial policeman of French Football, Lyon was also disturbed on the pitch in Reims where it conceded a draw (1-1) on Saturday evening during the twelfth day of Ligue 1.

This trip took place in a difficult context for the Rhone club. Due to the very high debt of its owner, Eagle Football Group, it was sanctioned by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), Friday November 15, with a demotion as a precautionary measure at the end of the season, the control of its payroll and the ban on recruitment during the winter transfer market. Despite the reassuring words of its owner, the American John Textor who assured that his club would “bring in several hundred millions of cash in the coming months», a sword of Damocles seems to hang over OL.

At the Stade Auguste-Delaune, the Lyonnais, now undefeated in seven league matches, showed two faces: a very attractive first period during which they had numerous opportunities, then a less diligent and more sluggish second act which allowed for Rémois to get back into the game. Rayan Cherki, in the wake of his sparkling match with the France Espoirs team against Italy (2-2) a week earlier – with a goal and an assist for Rémois Valentin Atangana – shone again in opening the score.

But like his partners, he was less visible in the second half. Five days before their trip to Qarabag (Azerbaijan) in the Europa League, the Lyonnais are provisionally fifth (19 points) and are back level with Lille which hosts Rennes on Sunday (3:00 p.m.). But they let Marseille (3rd) and Monaco (2nd) slip away, who are respectively four and seven points ahead of OL.

Imperial Diouf, Reims benefits

For its part, Stade de Reims played its luck bravely and was able to count on a great Yehvann Diouf in goal. The Marne goalkeeper made several saves, including an exceptional reflex parade in front of Alexandre Lacazette, at point blank range (29th). This draw allows the Rémois (18 points) to take sixth place from the Niçois, who host Strasbourg on Sunday.

On the pitch, Pierre Sage's players initially seemed very comfortable. Starting on the left behind Valentin Atangana, Alexandre Lacazette had plenty of time to deliver a precise cross, catapulted into the small opposite net by the head of Rayan Cherki, himself surprised and amused to have managed to score like this (1-0, 38th).

The Rémois responded in the second half. After a corner and a poor dismissal from the Lyonnais, Oumar Diakité managed to emerge from the penalty spot to deceive Lucas Perri at close range with his right foot (1-1, 55th). Having just entered the game, Malick Fofana tried to turn the game around and could have benefited from a penalty after rough contact from Junya Ito, but referee Stéphanie Frappart and the video assistance decided otherwise.

Reims even had the very last opportunity of the match, a few minutes after the entry into play of Gabriel Moscardo (90th), the Brazilian midfielder on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, who experienced his first minutes in the Reims jersey.