Lyon is back in the race for Europe. Les Gones pulled off a very nice move by snatching a stunning victory in Nantes on Sunday at the end of the 28th day of Ligue 1 (1-3). Trailing at the start of the last quarter of an hour, Pierre Sage’s players scored three goals through Alexandre Lacazette (75th) and the incoming Malick Fofana (77th) and Gift Orban (90th+7). They return in the wake of Reims, Marseille and Rennes, while the Canaries remain stuck in 15th place.
Les Gones came a long way in this match played behind closed doors and the refereeing of which should still be debated. Strengthened in particular by their qualification for the next final of the Coupe de France acquired in the middle of the week, they immediately took matters in hand in the silence of La Beaujoire and put their foot on the ball against the Canaries first very careful. However, they suddenly took action and their center forward Mostafa Mohamed had a first duel with Anthony Lopes (14th).
Nantes did not know how to make the break
However, OL’s defense did not take this alert into account. She was punished when Moussa Sissoko advanced on the left, then reversed the play on the right for a cross from Florent Mollet which allowed Matthis Abline to score with a header in the race to the penalty spot (1-0, 16th ). Already a scorer during the success in Nice recently (1-2), the 21-year-old striker on loan from Rennes scored his 3rd goal of the season in the league. He even almost doubled the lead, but Lopes still came out well against him (21st) before diverting a dangerous cross shot from Mohamed (36th).
Despite 60% possession, OL were logically trailing at the break because they were not strong enough in attack. It wasn’t much better at the start for the visitors even if Lacazette forced Nathan Zézé to make a catastrophic intervention in front of Alban Lafont’s cage (47th). The duel between the young central defender and the experienced attacker continued in the air with an elbow from the second which left his opponent bleeding (51st). Lacazette, however, escaped with a simple yellow card.
Matthis Abline celebrates his goal during the match between Nantes and OL in Ligue 1
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Lacazette opportunist
The Nantes residents remained dominant and Mohamed called on Lopes (58th), then Lacazette almost conceded a penalty (60th). The Gones center forward was more skillful in the opposing area and was able to equalize after two saves from Lafont on shots from Saïd Benrahma and Malick Fofana (1-1, 75th). Unleashed, the latter even gave the visitors the advantage straight away (1-2, 77th). The 19-year-old Belgian thus opened his account in L1 while Lacazette has 14 goals this season.
At an unbridled end to the match, Nantes gave in completely and Lyon took the opportunity to drive home the point through Orban (90th+7). OL enjoyed a week full of success and signed their 6th away victory in a row in the league. Conversely, Nantes suffered a 7th defeat at home for Antoine Kombouaré’s 500th on an L1 bench. With two small points ahead of the play-off Lorient, they will play big again soon against Le Havre, competitor for maintenance. It will then be time to welcome rival Rennes. With an audience this time.
Malick Fofana celebrates his goal during OL’s success in Nantes (1-3), during the 28th day of Ligue 1
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