Axel Divio, Media365, published on Saturday January 4, 2025 at 11:50 p.m.
Not very exciting throughout the match, Olympique Lyonnais still won an important victory in the very last seconds against Montpellier this Saturday evening during the 16th day of Ligue 1 (1-0). For its part, Montpellier, which had a goal refused by Ferri, may harbor regrets.
Undefeated for 9 days of Ligue 1 before falling against Paris Saint-Germain (3-1) just before Christmas, Olympique Lyonnais was keen to start 2025 with a bang, so as not to let the European wagon fall 'escape. For this, what could be better than receiving the red lantern of Ligue 1, who has just had 4 consecutive losses in the championship and an elimination against Le Puy Foot (4-0)?
Yes, but Montpellier did not come as a victim at Groupama Stadium. Jean-Louis Gasset's men were even very enterprising and ambitious. From the start, Jordan Ferri fired a superb shot into the top corner, but it was the crossbar that saved Lucas Perri (3rd). On the following corner, the Lyon goalkeeper had to pull out all the stops on his line to repel an uncrossed header from Becir Omeragic (5th). If Lyon has possession, it is the Héraultais who find striking situations, like Savanier (20th), Omeragic (25th) and Adams (35th). Téji Savanier, finally starting and not punished with a start on the bench following his remarks at Puy, will make the Lyon supporters tremble with a clear shot just outside the frame (34th). And OL in all this? We had to wait until the 40th minute and a curling shot from Nuamah, just wide. And a poorly returned ball, poorly negotiated by Maitland-Niles who missed the target (45th). Which will earn a few whistles from Groupama Stadium at half-time.
A Fayad CSC
In great form against his former club, Jordan Ferri thought he had played a bad trick on him, but the VAR will transform his joy into cold anger. The Montpellier midfielder actually committed a clear foul on Fofana before scoring on a cross from Issiaga Sylla (52nd). The Montpellier goal is logically canceled. OL will not be more inspired than during the first act. And it is still Montpellier which creates the best opportunities. First of all on a vicious free kick from Savanier (72nd), then especially with the huge miss from Khalil Fayad, served on a plate by Musa Al Tamari but unable to hit the target from 10 meters (73rd). The young Montpellier will continue to live a nightmare in stoppage time, unluckily participating in the annihilation of his team's efforts. Alexandre Lacazette's self-sacrifice will pay off. His cross for Tolisso is messed up, and wanting to ward off the danger, Fayad will push the ball into his own goal (1-0, 91st)… A CSC which hurts and which plunges the MHSC back into its darkness of 2024. .. For OL, it’s a gift from heaven.
Thanks to this lucky success, Olympique Lyonnais returns to LOSC (4th) before a trip to Brest on the 17th day. It will inevitably be necessary to present another face in Brittany. Montpellier deserved much better, but success again escaped the red lantern. But an identical performance against Angers on January 12 could well pay off!
