Identical score, but diametrically opposite satisfaction. The trips of the two French clubs on behalf of the 2my The Europa League matchday, Thursday, October 3, reserved different destinations for Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and OGC Nice.
While in the sometimes torrential and unexpected rain of Rome, the Niçois drowned against an impressively efficient Lazio, OL, with a full-speed attack, made the disappointing Rangers retreat in Glasgow, granting them a second victory in two matches in the competition.
Lyon coach Pierre Sage, in difficulties after a weak start to the season, found in Scotland the benchmark victory he was looking for, the third in a row after Olympiakos (2-0) in the Europa League and Toulouse (2-0 ). 1) in League 1. “It could be a match that leaves its mark, that marks the group”expected, after this convincing success. In any case, OL showed on Thursday “his ability to be decisive in the important moments of the game”.
In Scotland, his team resisted pressure from “Gers” and his fans at the start of the game, then due to injuries that forced Nemanja Matic (back) and then Clinton Mata (quadriceps) to leave their place before half-time.
Lacazette finally opens its counter
Although OL took advantage of the rival’s lack of skill, above all they produced an accomplished collective performance, from start to finish, led by an offensive trident with sharp claws. Captain Alexandre Lacazette opened his goal tally this season (19my45+1), the young left back Malick Fofana shone and also saw doubles (10my55my). Rayan Cherki honored his first start of the season with two assists and a good shot. It is a mini-resurrection for the 21-year-old forward, in the “loft” at the end of summer to force a transfer that did not materialize, and in the light since he left. Here he is with two goals and two assists in four games.
The Lyonnais inflicted on the Rangers one of their rare home defeats in recent years on the European scene, as they had already done in September 2021. The “Light Blues” of Philippe Clement, former Monaco coach, have rarely ignited the light. and they took the lightning from the Rhône, who however were left with four consecutive victories, all without conceding a goal.
OL must now show the same efficiency and consistency in Ligue 1, where they occupy eleventh place.my place after six days, and continue their European push against Turks Besiktas for the next European fixture.
Pretty in disarray
On the contrary, shortly before the Lyon festivities, the Roman getaway to Nice had turned into a nightmare. Starting with the weather: when the day before it was still 25°C, the Olympic Stadium was transformed, under the effect of almost uninterrupted rain, into a swimming pool with terrain sometimes at the limit of what was passable.
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But external conditions alone do not explain the defeat of “Gym”, which fell to a relentless Lazio, even more attractive than ever since the beginning of its season.
“The field was not good for both teams, but when you are leading it is much easier (…)“We wanted to try to play, but it was very complicated.”summarized Nice captain Dante.
Nothing worked for the Azuréens, overwhelmed in particular by the omnipresent Argentine striker Valentín Castellanos. Just like in their first half hour against Lens (0-0) last weekend, where they saw all the colors, Franck Haise’s players completely missed the start of the match.
They left control of the ball to Lazio, who created several dangerous chances, including a crossbar from Castellanos, before opening the scoring in the 20th.my minute. In a corner taken by Pedro, the Nice defense had all the difficulties in the world to clear the ball, returning to the feet of the former FC Barcelona player who, although very off-center, propelled it towards the rival squad (1 – 0).
Despite a timid start, Nice conceded a second goal in the 35th.my Minute when their defense was surprised by a brilliant opening in the axis by Castellanos who finished his ball over goalkeeper Marcin Bulka (2-0).
Hope spilled quickly
Shortly before the break, Jérémie Boga gave hope to the 800 Nice fans present in Rome by reducing the gap, after a one-two with Youssoufa Moukoko (2-1, 41my). But Nice’s hopes quickly faded after the break, when the inevitable Castellanos put the score at 3-1 after a magnificent individual action (53).my).
While the playing conditions worsened with the formation of puddles that slowed down the ball, especially in the center of the field, Lazio sunk the Niçois with a fourth penalty goal from Mattia Zaccagni (67′).my4-1).
After their draw against Real Sociedad (1-1) that had raised many hopes, Nice, whose squad was decimated by injuries, fell from the top. And the horizon is quite clear: on Sunday, OGC hosts Paris SG, upset by their defeat against Arsenal (2-0) in the Champions League.
Lazio, for its part, is already the scarecrow of this C3, with two convincing successes (3-0 against Dinamo Kiev in the 1st.my time of day).
