heroic goalkeepers, Lyon's regrets… The tops and flops

TOPS

Heroic guardians

Ultimately, they are the ones who contributed the most to their respective training. Yehvann Diouf first, the Champagne goalkeeper disgusted the Gones in the first half. Ultra-dominant, Pierre Sage's men have long stumbled upon the last rampart of the Reds and Whites. Impassable, the Tricolore made several stops including a superb reflex parade against Lacazette (28th). On the sole goal he concedes, he can't really do anything. Less visible in the second half, he still provided the essentials by being reassuring with his ball catches and hindering Benrahma with a quick exit during Lyon's best action in the second half (59th).

Often a notch below when his counterparts perform miracles, this time, Lucas Perri was assured in his goals. Relatively calm in the first half, it was at the end of the match that he avoided another catastrophe for his team. Solid and responsive, he made a decisive double save in the final action of the match. First repelling a missile from Teddy Teuma then Nakamura's attempt in the process (90+5).

Lacazette magnificent passer

Known for his surgical efficiency in front of goals, the Lyon captain turned into a surprising passer against Reims. The General distributed the caviars to his partners. Often served in the right spaces, the former French international did not hesitate to calm things down and turn around to serve rather than hit. A center forward always on the move who sometimes dezoned to swap with Cherki and Benrahma, a profitable choice which allowed him to deliver his second assist of the season. With a precise cross, he found Ryan Cherki's head to open the scoring (38th). In the second half, with a mischievous delivery (86th), he almost gave Fofana the second goal.

Reims didn't give up

In reverse during the first act, the draw point was not so undeserved for Luka Elsner's men. We can't blame them for never giving up. Courageously, Reims did not capitulate to the Lyonnais who seemed untouchable. Driven and cornered by the Gones offensives, Diouf's parades and constant miracles allowed the locals to stay in the match. Cherki's goal (38th) could have changed everything, but the Champenois immediately raised their heads and kept their backs round until the break. Upon returning from the locker room, the drop in intensity of their opponent benefited them and they were able, at the best of times, to come back to the score thanks to Oumar Diakité (55th).

FLOPS

Lyon will (still) have regrets

How not to think of the disaster against Besiktas in the Europa League almost a month ago. As against the Turks, the Rhone against Reims controlled everything, created numerous opportunities but struggled to find the fault. As in the Europa League, Lyon did not finish the match despite its 10 shots at the break. And like against Besiktas, Lyon will have regrets. Success at Auguste-Delaune would have allowed Pierre Sage's men to enter the Top 4 of Ligue 1. With the loss of two points, they let the leading trio fly away and potentially their direct competitor Lille (4th) regain the air.

Cherki gradually died out, Benrahma absent subscribers

Like a comet, Ryan Cherki was at first elusive and radiant. Putting his counterparts through hell and delivering clinical passes to his teammates. Without really any waste, the international hopeful was rewarded with a center-forward goal from an unstoppable cross header (38th). But in the second half, like his team, he completely shut down. Falling back into his mistakes and multiplying the loss of balls and bad decisions.

He was never sharp, started in place of Fofana left to rest, Saïd Benrahma did not score a point and reminded his supporters why he has never won his place since his arrival at Lyon at winter 2023. Often out of the game and not sharp enough in the last gesture, the Algerian has wasted a lot as since the start of the season.