OL scored their last two goals following corners. Two similar actions, which we had already noticed, without being decisive before Hoffenheim and Saint-Etienne.
Before the 2023-2024 season, OL did not really have the reputation of being a dangerous team on corners. Jake's arrival O'Brien during the previous exercise changed the situation somewhat, since the Irishman helped the Rhone residents in their maintenance operation thanks to his achievements in this phase of the game.
Having since left for Everton, he could have left the club an orphan in this area, even if he can count on other big guys like Moussa No matter whatNemanja Matic or even Duje Caleta-Car. But contrary to what one might think, if Olympique Lyonnais manages to find solutions in this sector, it is not these three boys, nor even Clinton Eye and Corentin Tolissowhich are necessarily at the conclusion, on the contrary.
Caleta-Car at the delivery
Since the start of the season, Pierre's men Sage have scored twice, in all competitions, directly from a corner. We can also point out that several other goals came after actions in two or three stages, like that of the Croatian against Marseille (2-3). But the two achievements that we observe here are very recent, against Hoffenheim (2-2) and Saint-Etienne (1-0), and show a particular approach to these set pieces.
Let's start with the trip to the Germans last Thursday in the Europa League. The two teams are tied (1-1), and we are playing injury time. The two important men in this situation are Caleta-Car (arms raised above) and Alexandre Lacazettein front of the goalkeeper. We note that OL placed three elements within six meters, and that the other five were spread across the penalty area.
Ryan Cherki strikes, and finds Caleta-Car, far from the opposing cages, but the intention here was above all to allow all his partners to move towards the goal to compete for the second ball. Finally, it will land at the far post, for the Rhone captain, who will put OL in the lead for a short time (2-2 final score).
Lacazette opportunistic and well placed
An action that we will see again a few days later against ASSE. Cherki is in charge again, but this time, we find the Lyonnais practically glued to the goalkeeper, thus hindering his exit. Caleta-Car, placed at the entrance to the six meters on the left, adjusts his course to receive the ball (see below).
At the time of his header, three OL players were close to the cage, ready to receive the Croatian's pass. The latter will not necessarily be very well adjusted, because it is carried out backwards, but it is Tolisso who will be served. The 2018 world champion then attempted an acrobatic gesture which turned into an involuntary decisive pass for Lacazette, who remained vigilant (below). An opportunist, the center forward knows where and how to position himself in this type of situation to be in the right place at the right time.
We therefore see, in these phases of play which are the last two goals of Olympique Lyonnais, that the team's desire is not so much to score directly with first intention, since the corners are taken quite far from the cage , but to sow disorder in the opposing rearguard by creating a recovery time, here from Caleta-Car.
Exploit second balls after corners
OL also seem to particularly appreciate exploiting their balls lying around in the area. We can thus take the example of Lille (1-1). If his achievement was ultimately canceled for offside, Ainsley Maitland-Niles had found the fault against LOSC by taking a Lille clearance. Nicolas' teammates Tagliafico had taken all their opponents towards Lucas' goals Chevalierand the Englishman then had plenty of time to adjust the northern goalkeeper from the penalty spot. It didn't hit the mark at the time because of Niakhaté's position, but in the end it was only a postponement.
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