Olympique Lyonnais won its third success in the competition with a home defeat against Besiktas (1-0) and a draw (2-2) at Hoffenheim. With 10 points, Pierre Sage's players remain well placed in the Top 8 for direct qualification to the round of 16.
Against Qarabag, the Lyonnais were, however, dominated by a team which had 56.7% of ball possession but was unable to translate it into goals.
The Azerbaijani club hit the post on an attempt by Andrade (18th) and the crossbar on a header from Juninho (42nd).
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri was also decisive in his team's victory, which he notably saved in front of Yassine Benzia (45th) or on another header from Juninho (58th), while Jankovic narrowly missed the target on a free kick (41st).
At the end of the match, Perri was unfortunate on a penalty shot against the post by Juninho, namesake of the OL legend, before the ball bounced off him to enter the cage (4-1, 88th). This rather generous penalty was awarded for a foul by Ainsley Maitland-Niles on Elvin Jafarguliyev.
This goal had no consequences for Lyon who had done what was necessary previously thanks to great efficiency by causing pain at the right times on rapid attacks.
Coach Pierre Sage had announced that there would be fewer rotations than previously but he nevertheless made seven changes from his starting lineup in Reims in the French championship on November 23.
– First European goals for Mikautadze –
He notably chose to rest striker and captain Alexandre Lacazette who did not come into play, preserved in view of the reception of Nice in Ligue 1, Sunday (5:00 p.m.).
It was his replacement Georges Mikautadze who opened the scoring by taking a cross delivered from the right wing by Ernest Nuamah in the 15th minute.
He also scored OL's fourth goal by converting a good serve from Maitland-Niles (80th). This is the first time that Mikautadze (24 years old) has scored in a European Cup.
Corentin Tolisso, who entered at half-time, brought the score to 2-0 with a superb strike into the top corner (63rd) before Malick Fofana victoriously took home a cross sent from the right by Saïd Benrahma (3-0, 68th).
A header from Duje Caleta-Car, deflected by Benzia, upon receiving a corner, also hit the bar without Nicolas Tagliafico being able to retake from close range (57th).
At the end of the game, Sage was able to afford to offer young Enzo Molebe, one of the few current talents at the training center, his first minutes in a professional match.
