To start their European campaign, Olympique Lyonnais won against Olympiakos (2-0) at Groupama Stadium.
TOPS
A Lyon who had fangs
It was obligatory for Olympique Lyonnais to react after Olympico’s rout against Marseille (2-3). If everything was not perfect among the Gones, it is clear that the desire to do well was present. Well above Olympiakos throughout the match, the Lyonnais took a little time before passing the second and opening the scoring in the second half through Rayan Cherki. In any case, the statistics put the Rhone club largely dominating the match (58% possession, 16 shots to 6 including 7 on target).
Cherki walked the talk
He was the first player to show his anger after Olympico. Rayan Cherki, starting for the first time this season, was a real talisman for his team. Author of the first goal, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder proved why he deserves to be part of the starting eleven in every match with his whimsical movements, his sense of goal and his quality in finding solutions in small spaces. The Olympic vice-champion from Paris opened the way for his teammates before leaving to the ovation of his supporters (65th).
Wise decisions
It was expected that Pierre Sage would rotate his squad. With a collective of 28 players, the Lyon public could make discoveries this Thursday evening, and this was the case with the entries of Tanner Tessmann and Wilfried Zaha. The Ivorian on loan from Galatasaray was also the decisive passer five minutes later for… Saïd Benrahma, who also came on five minutes earlier. A great start for Zaha and a great return for the Algerian, who has not appeared in the Lyon jersey since the end of August.
FLOPS
Alexandre Lacazette still silent
OL fans were impatiently waiting for their striker to make the talk this evening. It didn’t happen, the fault of a clear lack of opportunity in the first half. The spotlight was stolen by Rayan Cherki who was determined to pull his team to the top. The 33-year-old did not show his advantage, apart from a deflected shot which ended on the Greeks’ right post (49th).
A lack of bite which could have been fatal
In the first half, OL fell back into their old habits by stringing together good balls and opportunities without ever endangering Olympiakos. A scenario which was strangely reminiscent of that of Olympico and which could well have ended in the same way without the decisive action put in place in the second half by OL. Fortunately for the Rhone club, the Piraeus team showed nothing before the 85th minute and a goal refused by the VAR before added time. Pierre Sage himself admitted, speaking to Canal +, that he had to shake up his players and that it was imperative to leave Groupama Stadium with victory. Mission accomplished.
Related News :