The game: 1-0
In a difficult season, OL found comfort on the European scene. Already authors of a high-flying group stage, the Lyonnais signed a high quality performance to win in Porto in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League (1-0). Ambitious but long clumsy in the final move, they were rewarded for their efforts with a goal from Paqueta in the second half. Despite a feverish end to the match, Peter Bosz’s players took the lead before the return match in the Rhône.
Everything was not perfect against an opponent who also had his highlights, especially in the heart of the first act. After the good start from Lyon ended with a header from Moussa Dembélé repelled by Diogo Costa (11th), the Portuguese were able to reverse the dynamic. Behind the replica of Vitinha (11th), it is the whole block of Porto which has settled in the Lyon half. Fortunately, Mateus Uribe missed the target by a hair (13th) and Anthony Lopes did the job on two attempts from Pepê (21st and 32nd). After this long weak period, OL began their rise to power. On a good cross from Léo Dubois, Karl Toko Ekambi even missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring before the break (38th).
Once again dominating to start the second half, OL were still struggling at the finish. Dembélé missed the target twice in an ideal position (50th and 53rd) and Costa repelled a shot that was too lightly supported by Lucas Paqueta (54th). Five minutes later, the Brazilian finally found the fault on a discount from his center forward (59th). As often feverish to keep the score, Lyon had the merit of folding without breaking. Well helped by the lack of precision on the Portuguese side (83rd and 85th). But also by the VAR, which canceled a penalty for a handball from Paqueta (63rd) then a heartbreaking goal from Chancel Mbemba (90 + 4).
The player: essential Caqueret
Author of a solid match and scorer, Lucas Paqueta deserves to be hailed but the contribution of Maxence Caqueret was still more than precious for OL. Already congratulated by Peter Bosz for his excellent performance in Lorient last weekend, the midfielder returned to Porto on Wednesday evening. Omnipresent, the player trained at OL extinguished the Portuguese midfield. His relentless harassment of ball carriers has generated countless interesting recoveries for his partners. He could even have taken his chance in an ideal position but preferred to serve Dembélé (50th). He certainly lost a few balls with fatigue at the end of the match, but Lyon still owes him a lot.
The fact: all VAR in a good way
Often critical of refereeing this season, OL have reason to be positive this Wednesday evening. In the second half, the video assistance was systematically in the direction of Lyon. First canceled for an offside, Paqueta’s goal was validated by the VAR. It was also the video that overturned the decision to award Porto a penalty after the Brazilian’s handball. Then that, essential, to cancel the equalizing goal of Mbemba at the end of additional time.
