Thibaut Simon, Media365, published on Thursday January 23, 2025 at 9:26 p.m.
Olympique Lyonnais failed to achieve the much-hoped-for victory on the Fenerbahçe pitch (0-0), but secured a point in the race for direct qualification for the round of 16.
We could or even should have expected an electric atmosphere inside Fenerbahçe's Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. More than 50,000 spectators gathered to push their team against a Lyon team well established in third place in the Europa League group. A victory would have done a lot of good for both teams, especially for the team coached by José Mourinho, 19th with only eight points on the clock. For OL, the European campaign looks better than the last meetings on French soil. An elimination in the Coupe de France, a defeat and a draw against Brest and Toulouse; the awakening was therefore expected for the men of Pierre Sage, whose position is called into question. There was electricity in the duels with muscular interventions. For the game, it will certainly be necessary to come back, even if the Gones showed better intentions than their Turkish counterparts, totally overwhelmed physically at the hour mark.
VAR saves OL, chances are few and far between
The match could have turned on two incidents that the central referee had difficulty sanctioning. The first was OL right defender Saël Kumbedi who grabbed it. A tackle on the rough ball and a sole dragging on Kahveci's calf. Demanding the red, perhaps logically, the Fener stadium has started a bronca on the refereeing body. If Kumbedi received a yellow card, the decision just before the break was not the same for Moussa Niakhaté. His equally well-pressed tackle on Kahveci led the referee to issue a straight red. Fortunately for OL, VAR came, undoubtedly logically, to save Niakhaté. Reversing his decision, the referee sent everyone back to the locker room in a poor first act in terms of play. Tolisso created the only real opportunity with a shot on target in the 39th minute.
-Fofana out with injury
At 11 against 11, OL took control of the match after giving the ball to the Turks in the first quarter of an hour of play. Led by Cherki, Tolisso, Matic and even Benrahma, Lyon tried timidly, warming Egribayat's gloves on several occasions. Neither Cherki (66th) nor Benrahma on a free kick (89th) worried the well-placed Fenerbahçe goalkeeper. Borrowed physically, Fenerbahçe could have conceded a deserved goal for Lyon, but the Rhône team was not sharp in the last sector of the game. On the defensive level, OL had no danger to save in front of their aim. Besides Dzeko's opportunity at the end of the match, Mourinho's formation like En-Nesyri offered nothing despite its defensive solidity. The timid entries of Saint-Maximin and Ünder, two former Ligue 1 players, did not move the bloc. Lucas Perri was present and solid.
Lyon may (perhaps) have regrets given the appearance of the match. Especially since Malick Fofana went out injured after he had been restless until his exit. The Belgian player was missed by OL in the second act, even if the score could have evolved without his flashes. After this 7th day, Lyon will keep its place in the Top 8 and will have to win against Ludogorest on the last day to definitively ensure its place in the round of 16.
