Alexandre Lacazette lors d’OL – Besiktas (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP)
Largely dominant, OL erred too much in the finish to get the better of Besiktas (0-1). Trailing, the Lyonnais lost for the first time in this Europa League.
This Thursday evening, it was about football and nothing but football. And that’s already a victory in itself. Seven years after the fights between OL and Besiktas supporters, the measures taken by the club bore fruit, since no incidents were reported during the game. But it was what happened on the pitch that interested the 27,000 spectators present on Thursday at Parc OL. Continuing on from Lyon’s latest outings, Pierre Sage’s formation has long shown an attractive face. With constant domination.
On Wednesday, Besiktas assured that it wanted to come to Décines with offensive intentions. They were clearly not there. The Turks were backed into their camp and only made rare counter attempts. One of them almost hit the mark in the 67th minute. On a shot launched very quickly, Immobile pushed Perri to parry and saw his shot hit the post. This first scare did not serve as a lesson since the Istanbulites managed to open the scoring five minutes later with a quick counter. Gedson Fernandes’ goal (71st, 0-1) was enough to sign a first victory and inflict a first defeat on OL.
Benrahma harvested
However, as against Olympiakos, Alexandre Lacazette’s teammates had more than just the opportunities to make the match easy in the first half. Despite the change to 4-2-3-1 and the tenure of Ernest Nuamah and Saïd Benrahma on the sides, there was movement offensively. But it was efficiency that was lacking in the image of the Algerian. Taking advantage of his good starts to the game recently, Benrahma was established and was the symbol of this OL incapable of adjusting the sights. The winger alone had four chances, but opened his foot too much each time. And when the frame did not escape, it was the bar which got involved after a rush from Nuamah (55ᵉ).
Besiktas implemented their plan perfectly
The Lyonnais logically regretted these missed opportunities. Even if it didn’t matter much at times. A bit of shoulder too far in front from Tolisso prevented Lacazette from becoming OL’s top scorer in the European Cup. And to put his own in the best possible disposition (24ᵉ). Seeing his team lack solutions, Pierre Sage tried to bring in fresh blood with the entries of Fofana and Zaha. Then those of Mikautadze and Orban with just over ten minutes remaining.
The game was much more disjointed and with the advantage in the score, Besiktas focused even more on defending and counterattacking. Tolisso tried from afar (80th), Zaha also from close range (93rd). But nothing happened. Dominant OL paid for their inefficiency and lost for the first time in the Europa League. The presence in roadblocks will wait at least for the movement to Hoffenheim in two weeks.
