From bad to worse for the Gones. Lyon broke down in the match of fear and lost at home to Clermont at the end of the 9th day of Ligue 1, Sunday (1-2). With a break behind at the break after the goals of Muhammed Cham (10th) and Yohann Magnin (36th), the Lyonnais then reacted and reduced the score through Corentin Tolisso (53rd). However, this was not enough to avoid another poor performance. They find themselves last in the ranking, overtaken by their Auvergne tormentors who score their first success.
Despite a visible desire in front of the spectators at Groupama Stadium determined to encourage them, the Lyonnais quickly suffered from the offensives of Clermontois who were more biting and better organized. The visitors especially knew how to strike first. On a long clearance, Shamar Nicholson went to the left to provoke in front of Dejan Lovren then found the head of Cham, alone at the far post to open the scoring (0-1, 10th). The VAR validated the Austrian’s second goal of the season despite a disputed control by the Jamaican passer.
Success for Clermont, not for Lyon
If they refused to lower their heads and tried to react, the Gones remained crumbly in defense and Nicholson alerted Anthony Lopes (26th). The Lyon goalkeeper then diverted a nice axial strike from Cham but could do nothing against that of Magnin in the process, just as nice and which finished under the bar (0-2, 35th). If Lopes still had to work in front of Nicholson (40th), his teammates finally really raised their voice. Alexandre Lacazette, however, shot at Mory Diaw’s crossbar (44th).
Faced with the lack of accuracy and cohesion of his men, Fabio Grosso replaced Rayan Cherki, Paul Akouokou and Ainsley Maitland-Niles with Tolisso, Ernest Nuamah and Mahamadou Diawara at the restart. Choices which could seem harsh for the outgoing players, the incoming players nevertheless brought a new impact and OL pushed very hard.
Deliberate Gones but still too short
After a free kick from Lacazette diverted for a corner by Diaw, Tolisso managed to deceive the Auvergne goalkeeper with a cross-shot with the involuntary help of Florent Ogier (1-2, 52nd). Regained confidence and even unleashed, Maxence Caqueret, Diawara and the others continued the siege of the opposing area. Faced with visitors who were withdrawn in defense and unable to get the ball out, they gave everything.
Lyon’s offensives still remained muddled and real clear chances were ultimately rare despite a total of 25 shots for 6 on target in favor of OL. We had to wait for added time to see Tolisso force Diaw to make a final capital save (90th + 2). OL suffered their third defeat in a row against Clermont after the two last season and will challenge OM as bottom of the class on the next day. More than this Olympico, it is maintenance at the end of the season that the Gones must now aim for.