Winning comeback for Laurent Blanc. Away from the Lyon benches in the last two games because of pneumonia, the Rhone coach saw his team win on the lawn of Angers on Saturday (1-3, 25th day of Ligue 1). A performance in trompe-l’oeil.
What to remember: renewal and realism
Defeated last weekend at Auxerre (2-1), the Lyonnais resumed their march forward and confirmed their relative revival. Relative, since if there is clearly better in the game in recent weeks compared to what was offered at the start of the season, the Lyon mechanics are still far from being perfectly oiled. Evidenced by this first laborious period, where the men of White took their time to force their luck.
They were at least able to be realistic, their first shot of the match being on target and victorious. Helped by the risky placement of the Angevin wall, Thiago Mendes scored a nice distant free kick (0-1, 38th). The Brazilian has unlocked his counter this season. Substitute Amin Sarr offered his first goal for his 6th match with his new colors (0-2, 80th), demonstrating that he can be a credible alternative in the absence of Alexandre Lacazette. Bradley Barcola has confirmed all the qualities that are lent to him after a nice number (1-3, 90th).
Not brilliant, the Lyonnais did well in the end, saved by an Anthony Lopes (71st) who could not do anything after Dejan Lovren’s blunder which Abdallah Sima took advantage of (1-2, 87th). Thanks to these three hard-earned points, Lyon (8th) remains hopeful in its European ambitions. The top 5 is provisionally at six points. Enterprising but less effective, the Angevins (20th) fall back into their ways and chain a 17th match without winning in Ligue 1.
The players: firsts for Sarr and Jeffinho
Entering in the 67th minute in place of a rather discreet Rayan Cherki, Jeffinho took his first steps in Ligue 1. Arrived from Botafogo this winter with a sprained ankle, the Brazilian winger was finally able to take the pulse of the Championship of France. Appearing on the lawn at the same time as his new partner, Amin Sarr unlocked his goal counter with Lyon, well placed to cut off a center from Maxence Caqueret at the near post.
The number: 10
Abdel Bouhazama, the coach of Angers, became the first coach without a win in his first ten Ligue 1 games (2 draws and 8 losses so far) since Thierry Laurey in August-October 2015 (with GFC Ajaccio) .