Despite a complicated start to the match, OL only left the Rangers with crumbs. Thanks to a great Malick Fofana, the Lyonnais achieved a second success in the Europa League.
From our special correspondent in Glasgow.
European perfume, a smell that smells of victory. Deprived of Europe for two seasons, OL are sinking their teeth into this return to the scene of the Old Continent. Corentin Tolisso admitted Wednesday evening: there is nothing better than finding these meetings with posters in legendary stadiums. With the Ibrox Stadium, the Lyonnais were served this Thursday evening and were not taken by popular pressure, quite the contrary with this second success (4-1). True to its reputation, the enclosure of Rangers roared as one man before the match to push his players.
This bore fruit since Philippe’s flock Clément took this match the right way. In difficulty with placements and space management, OL quickly caught fire, pushing Perri at a first stop from the 3rd minute. In the overheated atmosphere, the Brazilian goalkeeper also warmed up with a second parade on Lawrence before an incredible failure of Cerny (8e).
Lacazette unlocks his counter
A turning point in the match since instead of being behind, Pierre Sage’s men will immediately take the advantage. On a Cherki festival in the surface, Breathing showed extreme precision to send the ball into the opposite net (0-1, 10th). The start of a stroll from Lyon to Glasgow? We had to wait a bit. Because the Belgian’s goal did not make the defensive approximations at the start of the match disappear. On a seemingly innocuous ball, Tolisso took the risk of giving Perri the lead but Dessers had anticipated.
The Rangers striker certainly came up against the Brazilian, but Lawrence had followed well and put the two teams back on level terms just after a quarter of an hour of play (1-1, 14th). This equalizer had the merit of waking up the Lyonnais a little in their preventive marking and after offering a goal, OL thanked the opposing midfielder for an offering which Fofana was quick to take advantage of. Fixing the defense well, he served Lacazette for his first goal of the season (1-2, 19th). A first which called for a second with a missile into Butland’s top corner just before the break (45th, 1-3).
Perri responds
After the break, Pierre Sage could have a smile, even if these 45 minutes were not perfect and ended with two serious injuries. Matic et Eye. Two hard blows which could impact the eleven lined up against Nantes on Sunday. The volcano at Ibrox Stadium has clearly been cooled and it was not the break that helped matters. With a provocation of which he now has the secret in the surface, Cherki found Breathing at the far post for the double and a score that flew away (55th, 1-4).
Mass was said and OL were content to manage, notably with a bar of Caleta-Car (67th). A second victory in two games, the Rhone campaign could not have started better, even if there are still things to perfect. Lucas Perri had to work on several occasions, including a superb save in the 70th minute to keep Rangers’ heads underwater. After the Toulouse porridge, there was some fun this Thursday evening. To be confirmed now in Ligue 1 from Sunday.
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