A goal from Dembélé on the first occasion and a lot of courage was the winning formula for OL against Porto, a completely uninhibited European great, even far from their base. But Lyon, unworthy tenth in Ligue 1, intermittently remember that they too have been a great European club in the recent past – two Champions League semi-finals in 2010 and 2020.
While waiting to find the European elite, OL have already won their place among the last eight of the Europa League, while waiting for better. With OM qualified for the Europa League Conference thanks to their victory in Basel earlier this Thursday evening, there are therefore two French clubs left before the draw for the three competitions in Nyon this Friday at midday.
Moussa Dembélé in beefy
To do this, the Gones pressed the accelerator from the start. A pass from Dubois with the outside of his foot over the opposing defense to Moussa Dembélé and the Lyon center-forward, struggling with a defender, tackles a crossed ball in the goal of Diogo Costa (1-0 , 13th). Ten goals in Ligue 1, Dembélé chooses his moment well to open his counter in the Europa League and confirms his status as Lyon’s top scorer since the start of the year.
However, FC Porto, from the Champions League and undefeated leader in the league this season, does not intend to let Lyon sail to an easy victory. Defeated in their stadium by OL (1-0), the Dragons do not hesitate to attack at Groupama Stadium, and even more than the players of Peter Bosz.
They were soon rewarded with a sumptuous goal from the young Brazilian midfielder Pepê, a pivoting volley with the right foot from the penalty spot, at the conclusion of a cross from Vieira (1-1, 27th). At the break, Lyon, undefeated in the Europa League so far and still qualified for a quarter-final, hinted at a form of vulnerability.
In fact, in the second period, the team of Sergio Conceiçao, coach who passed through Nantes (2016-2017), put his paw on the game and forced OL to proceed with counter-attacks. Thus, Dembélé, well launched on the left side by Paqueta, finds himself facing Diogo Costa for a new duel but this time comes up against the Portuguese goalkeeper (63rd). After which, he gives way to Kadewere (65th).
Entering in the 65th in place of Faivre, Aouar, served by Paqueta, lands a good low shot but insufficient to deceive the Dragons goalkeeper (73rd).
For his part, Pepe, the 39-year-old Portuguese international defender, fired a distant volley close to the right post of Antony Lopes (77th). Despite several alerts until the very end of the match, the latter managed to keep his goal clean. And to give OL back some of their pride.