ANALYSIS. Lyon – TFC: this Toulouse has the right to be ambitious! We explain why

After being slowed down in its return to Europe by Strasbourg last weekend at the Stadium (1-2), the TFC had a meeting in cursed land to try to resume its march forward.

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In Lyon, where they have not won since 1966, Toulouse had the opportunity to confirm that they could play spoilsport in the upper part of the ranking, while putting pressure on OL, pitifully eliminated from the Coupe de France this week by the amateurs of Bourgoin-Jallieu (N3), and from whom they could come back to one point in the standings.

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REPLAY. Lyon – TFC: “We have a bit of regret today…” Toulouse gets a good point but could have claimed better against OL

Young and strong defenders

At Parc-OL, the scene of numerous debacles in recent seasons, from 5-1 in 2019 to 3-0 in 2023, Téfécé proved that it had gained in maturity since the start of the season, and more generally since taking over. functions of Carles Martinez Novell. Even deprived of its captain Vincent Sierro, its vice-captain Rasmus Nicolaisen, and its most experienced player Djibril Sidibé, the Toulouse team showed great serenity, despite a central defense averaging less than 22 years. of age. Charlie Cresswell (22), Mark McKenzie (25) and Jaydee Canvot (18), all playing their first season in Ligue 1, were very impressive against the Lyon attackers, who did not have a shot on target before the 73^e minute (by Malick Fofana, on which Guillaume Restes produced a superb one-handed save, à la Manuel Neuer).

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If McKenzie and Cresswell had gotten along…

The Violets, for their part, scored, not just one, which does not help them to take off this attractive and diligent team label but whose main fault is knowing how to kill matches and finish actions. If Aboukhlal's goal was refused by the VAR for a slight but real offside position (12), the Hauts-Garonnais can only blame themselves for not having converted this huge opportunity where, on a very good cross from Suazo, McKenzie slightly deflected the ball with his head while Cresswell seemed, just behind the American, much better placed to snatch everything and score his first goal in Ligue 1 (45 + 3).

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Just following, Joshua King, who also had the opportunity to complete this action, lacked precision with his right-footed shot. Aron Dönnum also missed a little meter to finish with a nice strike (60th), while a three-on-one counter could undoubtedly have been better negotiated (62nd). Led by Dönnum, often at the initiative of transitions, Gabriel Suazo, who has returned for several weeks to a very good level, and Cristian Casseres who is now essential in the middle, the Toulouse residents can leave satisfied, even a little frustrated with Lyon, and project with ambition on the reception of Montpellier, which has just woken up against Monaco.

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They may also regret their low bench depth (also linked to injuries), when OL were revitalized by the explosive entry of Malick Fofana in the 70th^e. At the moment, they don't lack much to dream big anyway.