Buts : Lawrence (14e) for Rangers // Fofana (10e55e) et Lacazette (19e45e+1) for the Gones
Glasgow has lived up to its reputation as the rainiest city in the United Kingdom. If not a drop fell on Scotland’s largest city, the goals invaded an Ibrox Stadium that was initially boiling, then reduced to silence by a clinical OL this Thursday. Pierre Sage’s men, jostled at the start of the game, produced their best copy of the season by defeating the very moribund Rangers, once after the half hour of play (1-4). This is the third consecutive success for Les Gones, who confirm that the slap received against Marseille was perhaps just an accident. With this victory, a week after that won against Olympiakos (2-0), Lyon achieves a perfect six out of six, has a convincing goal difference and is in second place in this C3 league phase.
Fireworks
Cracking fireworks just above Jack Butland’s box in the 7e minute of play, maybe the Union BearsRangers ultras, just wanted to pay tribute to a breathtaking start to the match? « Must be something gangster related »a local journalist finally revealed to us in the very cramped press box of the legendary Ibrox Stadium. Heated by a public who broke their voices at the slightest opportunity, the Rangers packed these first minutes against the Lyonnais who took time to adapt to the British intensity. James Tavernier could even have opened the scoring very early, but Lucas Perri was ready enough to repel the captain’s attempt (3e). Huge late in the match in Toulouse on Sunday, the Brazilian goalkeeper then saw Václav Černý miss the inevitable when he had just diverted a shot from Tom Lawrence (8e).
In the middle of a Scottish highlight, OL finally transformed the hell of Ibrox into a vulgar CDI, thanks to magnificent work from Rayan Cherki in the area, well inspired to serve Malick Fofana on his left. The Belgian, savior in the pink city this weekend, was quick to open his foot and make the mark (0-1, 10e). The temperature will only have dropped for a few minutes, the time for the Teddy Bears to see Corentin Tolisso completely screw up a back pass with his head towards his goalkeeper. Perri may have produced a first miracle, but Lawrence ended up punishing a defense lacking confidence (1-1, 14e). What to calm everyone down? Certainly not. This match smells like powder, literally, and Fofana, the man of this game, goes to tear the defense a second time, taking advantage of a horrible transmission from Conor Barron to slip into the area and serve Alexandre Lacazette, who n just has to finish to score his first goal of the season (1-2, 19e).
As Cristiano Ronaldo would say, goals are like ketchup. With a monumental firecracker at the entrance to the area, Lacazette was responsible for cleaning Butland’s top corner and giving OL a two-goal lead just before the break (1-3, 45e+1). The Scottish heads are lowered as they return to the locker room. And Rayan Cherki, ten minutes after the start of the second act, did not help the Rangers’ posture, by humiliating the defense, then offering Fofana the opportunity to score a double (1-4, 55e). The last half hour will be a walk in the park for Les Gones. Or almost, since Perri was still able to distinguish himself with a beautiful save on a cover by Kieran Dowell (73e). The final whistle is logically accompanied by the whistles of the last spectators remaining until the end of the rout.
Malick Fofana, evil holder
