TOPS/FLOPS: Manhandled for 45 minutes, Olympique Lyonnais found the solutions to secure their place in the final, dominating Valencienne 3-0 this Tuesday evening.
In a boiling Groupama Stadium, the Lyonnais escaped the Valenciennes trap. Thanks to its strong captain Alexandre Lacazette, double scorer, OL will play a new Coupe de France final, 12 years after the last.
The Tops
Alexandre Lacazette
As is often the case, the captain showed his team the way. After a first period where he struggled to exist, marked very closely by Cuffaut and Woudenberg, it was he who changed the course of the match. He saved the penalty which he converted himself (50th). It was again him on a ball with his back to goal which widened the gap and who secured the victory for Pierre Sage’s players (57th). Released to ovations at Groupama Stadium, it will be essential to win the final in Lille on May 25.
Said Benrahma
Quite the opposite of Alexandre Lacazette! He rather shone in the first period where he was the only impactful element, the only one through whom all the actions took place. It was he who found Nuamah’s head in the 5th minute, he who struck in the 7th minute at the edge of the area and he who found the post. More subdued in the second half, he displayed his technique and his ability to create.
The Flops
Alan Linguet
Impossible to say that he did not try, provoke, try to project himself. Although he was not responsible for any of the goals, defensively he suffered a lot on his right side. Little helped by his teammates, he was overtaken by Benrahma’s dribbles. The vast majority of Lyon’s offensive actions went through his side, quite logically.
Read alsoCoupe de France: OL supporters invade the pitch after their team qualified
The Lyon penalty
Alexandre Lacazette was touched by Cuffaut on the action which led to the penalty. But was he sufficiently unbalanced to justify the penalty? The answer is not obvious since the video referee decided to call Stéphanie Frappart who did not change her judgment. Without crying scandal, it is regrettable to see that this decision changed the face of the match, and destabilized the Valenciennes who were well in place until then.
The invasion of the Lyonnais field
Was it necessary to invade the land? The fans’ wait has been long since the last Coupe de France final, it’s true. But did defeating the bottom of Ligue 2, without being certain of winning the trophy behind, deserve this outburst on the pitch? Furthermore, this invasion of land had been planned in advance. It could also be worth a sanction to the club.