UEFA Europa League, Matchday 6, 12/12/24
Lyon edged out the unbeaten Bundesliga side at the end of an entertaining five-goal thriller. Les Gones are fourth in the Europa League with qualification for the knockout stage firmly in their sights.
The Match
On the back of their convincing 4-1 away win to Qarabag, Lyon could all but confirm their qualification for, at least, the Europa League playoff rounds. The in-form Pierre Sage’s team made a great start, personified by Ernest Nuamah and Corentin Tolisso. The Lyon Academy product hit the woodwork after some smart play from Nuamah and the electric Rayan Cherki.
The Bundesliga side dampened the mood at the Groupama Stadium. Duje Caleta-Car was caught out by Hugo Ekitike and the former PSG centre-forward bid his time to flick the ball into the path of Angvar Knauff, who found Lucas Perri’s bottom corner. It took only ten minutes for the hosts to restore parity, thanks to Cherki. The brilliant France U21 international deflected Tolisso’s long-range half-volley to catch Kevin Trapp by surprise.
Cherki went close to turn provider, threading a great pass to find Nuamah, but the Ghana international could only strike Trapp’s right post. Lyon would eventually turn the game on its head. Alexandre Lacazette outmuscled former Rennes centre-back Arthur Theate to allow Cherki a clear run at goal. The attacking midfielder fed the onrushing Malick Fofana, who applied the finish with composure.
Five minutes later, Cherki would claim another assist but Lyon’s third goal owed much to Nuamah’s brilliance. The Premier League target drilled a ferocious left-footed effort past Trapp. Eintracht boss Dino Toppmöller had no choice but to turn to Omar Marmoush. Lyon thought they had the better of the free-scoring Egyptian, until the 85th minute when he applied a ruthless finish past Lucas Perri after being given acres of space.
Lyon eventually held on to their lead, confirming they are the most in-form French team, logging a fourth consecutive win in all competitions. And PSG are next on Sunday.
Lyon player Ratings
Lucas Perri – 5
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6
Moussa Niakhaté – 5
Duje Caleta-Car – 4
Nicolas Tagliafico – 5
Corentin Tolisso – 7
Nemanja Matic – 6
Malick Fofana – 7
Rayan Cherki – 8
The attacking midfielder again proved as brilliant as influential, displaying another eye-catching display of flair and sheer technical quality. Cherki had a hand in all three of Lyon’s goals, claiming the equalizer in deflecting Tolisso’s effort and assisting Fofana and Nuamah. Is there a more in-form French midfielder right now?
Ernest Nuamah – 8
The Ghana international has been given a rare start by Sage and he made the most of it. The 21-year-old was full of energy, running himself to the ground and threatening Eintracht’s back-line. He eventually scored the decisive third goal with a powerful curler.
Alexandre Lacazette – 5
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
