Nicolas Tagliafico during Qarabag – OL (Photo by Stringer/AFP)
After two games without a win, OL returned to three points in Baku against Qarabag (1-4). Failing to be attractive, the Lyonnais have provided the essentials and should have a European future at least in February.
Pierre Sage wanted substance and form this Thursday evening in Baku. He ultimately only had the bottom against Karabagh. If OL supporters expected to see their team show mastery in Azerbaijan after part-time work in Reims, it was not the case. Yes, theOL won (1-4), but clearly did not show the attractive face that was expected of him. The weather in the Azerbaijani capital and the far from perfect pitch did not help. But it was not these two elements that prevented Pierre Sage's players from putting their desire into this meeting.
The Lyon coach will certainly have every reason to raise his voice over this performance. However, this Thursday evening, OL left with what they came for: victory and three points. After the disappointments Besiktas and of Hoffenheimthe French team was less attractive, but won and that is perhaps the main thing.
A glaring lack of desire at first
With ten points in five matches, qualification is still not official with this new formula. But it's hard to see OL not being there in the spring. While waiting to know if it will be in March for the eighth, it is almost certain that the Lyonnais will be there for the play-offs. Nevertheless, the face in Baku will leave frustration that the score probably does not suggest. Again in 4-2-3-1, Rayan Cherki's teammates did what they had failed to do in Reims. To be clinical up front with this goal from Mikautadze a quarter of an hour into the game and to have that bit of success defensively. With a post from Andrade (18th) and a bar from Juninho (43rd), Qarabag did not play simple sparring partners and clearly showed that he still wanted to have a future in this Europa League.
Tolisso did good
Unfortunately, the football gods were not with the Azeris who suffered the blow mentally in the second half. After a tactical readjustment and the entry of Tolisso in place of Nuamah to return to 4-3-3, OL had a different control. Caleta-Car first hit the bar well helped by Benzia (56th) before the French midfielder managed to make this famous break which had not happened at Reims (63rd). Behind it was an open door with Qarabag carried forward. On two almost similar actions, Breathing (68th) then Mikautadze (80th) killed all suspense. Enough to allow Pierre Sage to run, notably giving his first minutes to Enzo A leech. The penalty of Juninho at the end of the match is more anecdotal than anything else.
