Cruel outcome for Olympique Lyonnais against Hoffenheim. Jostled for 90 minutes, first saved by their goalkeeper Rémy Descamps then by their captain Alexandre Lacazette, the Gones finally conceded a disappointing draw in the final seconds, losing two precious points in the race to qualify for the round of 16 of the Europa League.
The first Lyon hero of this meeting was clearly Rémy Descamps. The former Nantes goalkeeper, partly trained at Paris Saint-Germain, stopped nine attempts by the Germans, notably making a superb double save five minutes from time. Saves which allowed the Lyonnais to maintain the draw and believe in victory until the end.
If Descamps met expectations, this is not the case for OL's starting attackers, who were uninspired. Their production in the first half was even poor, with two small shots, only one of which was on target. Conversely, the Germans increased their attempts, but without finding an opening. This finally arrived in the first seconds of the second period, with a goal from Ile-de-France resident Valentin Gendrey.
Pierre Sage could not sit idly by. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Malick Fofana, Alexandre Lacazette and Rayan Cherki, the strong men of this Lyon Olympics, finally came into play in the 61st minute, and the change of face was immediate. Five minutes later, Abner was in the right place to finish from the left a superb action initiated by Lacazette and Cherki. The last half hour was very lively, with Lyon dominating but great German breakthroughs which forced Descamps to remain attentive.
The second hero was then the “General”, Alexandre Lacazette. A surface fox, the former French international discreetly shifted to the far post on a corner kicked in stoppage time, and took the ball that was lying around with his left foot. Victory was acquired. Or almost. A few seconds later, during the final action, Umut Tohumcu victoriously took a poorly cleared cross and deceived poor Rémy Descamps.
“It was a big careless mistake at the end of the match,” regretted Maxence Caqueret after the meeting on Canal +. When we manage to score at the end of the match, we must not concede a second goal. It's sad because we were looking for this victory but that's how it is. » The Lyonnais leave Germany with just one point and are in 9th place in the group stage. And it’s actually quite logical.
