2024-04-14 23:55:31
Seven goals, two players sent off and a penalty after 16 minutes of added time: Olympique Lyonnais beat Brest 4-3 at the end of a crazy match, Sunday April 14, during the 29e day of Ligue 1. Thanks to this success snatched in its Groupama Stadium against the runner-up of L1, Lyon goes back to 7e place, an achievement when we remember that the club was struggling to escape the relegation zone just a few weeks ago.
It was therefore a penalty at the end of the night from Ainsley Maitland-Niles which allowed OL to win one of the best matches of the Ligue 1 season and to maintain their European dream, by returning to two Lens lengths (6e).
The end of this meeting, very electric with two red cards, was also marked by the injury exit of striker Alexandre Lacazette after a rough exit from Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot which caused the penalty awarded by referee Mathieu Vernice after consultation of the VAR (90+16).
Well before this spectacular outcome, the Lyonnais had opened the scoring through Corentin Tolisso after a free kick from Saïd Benrahma poorly negotiated by the Brest defense (18e), Tolisso’s second goal this season in 21 appearances.
But after the break, Stade Brestois, decidedly impressive this season, turned the situation around in a handful of minutes. Steve Mounié tied the two teams by heading a free kick from Romain Del Castillo (1-1, 60e). A specialist in aerial play, Mounié has scored five of his six headed goals this season and approximately 50% of his career goals in this way.
Lacazette determinant
Trained at OL without ever having had a chance as a professional, the former Rennais, Romain Del Castillo then scored a double. In addition to his decisive pass to Mounié, he gave the Bretons the advantage by converting a direct free kick (2-1, 64e) before bringing the score to 3-1 by concluding a great collective action from the Brest camp and which put the Lyon defense out of reach (67e).
It was Lyon captain, Alexandre Lacazette, who was once again decisive in OL’s comeback. The Rhone striker revived his team thanks to his fifteenth goal this season in L1 after a cross delivered from the right wing by Rayan Cherki barely coming into play. Back at 3-2, the Lyonnais did not give up and it is the Argentine defender, Nicolas Tagliafico who equalized at 3-3 with a cross shot from the left after another pass from Cherki (79e). The latter had a goal ball at the end of his foot but he sent the ball over despite a very favorable position (84e).
At the end of the game, Tagliafico and Pierre Lees-Melou were excluded after a scuffle (86e) before Lacazette won this famous penalty converted by Maitland-Niles for his first Ligue 1 goal in 18 appearances.
“We are taken for imbeciles”
“Everything is possible with this team”declared Lyon coach, Pierre Sage, after the meeting. “We went through a lot of emotions in a very short time in this match. We had the feeling of experiencing something extraordinary. I will remember this match for a long time, and so will the spectators”, he rejoiced. But OL are now worried about the injury of Lacazette who was evacuated on a stretcher, and the duration of his possible unavailability in view of the final of the Coupe de France against PSG, and the rest of the championship with matches to play in Paris, against Monaco and Lille. “He wasn’t in the locker room when I got home but we will accompany him so that he comes back as quickly as possible”confided Pierre Sage.
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On the Brest side, the scenario of the evening and the refereeing decisions are difficult to digest. “We are taken for fools. It’s a difficult evening but we’ve experienced others this season already. We were hurt a few times by unfavorable decisions but that’s football today.”declared coach Eric Roy, referring in particular to a non-whistled hand in the penalty area from Irishman Jake O’Brien in the 16the minute, or the second yellow card received by Lees-Melou, synonymous with exclusion.
“I nevertheless remember that we played a very good match but that at 3-1, we must be able to close the match. We should have maintained more lucidity and control. My group is generous but has difficulty managing emotions”also analyzed Eric Roy whose team retains its second place with a lead over Monaco (3e), who must face Lille on April 24 on behalf of this 29e daytime.
The good operation of Nantes and Montpellier for maintaining
Because in a day of Ligue 1 also missing the matches of Paris SG (in Lorient) and Marseille (against Nice), postponed to preserve them for their European confrontations in the coming week, Nantes and Montpellier gave themselves air in the race they are leading to maintain.
Thanks to its victory at Le Havre, obtained in added time after a goal scored by Kader Bamba (1-0, 90+2), Nantes with 31 points, is three lengths ahead of Le Havre (15e) and five in Lorient (16e), virtual barrage.
Montpellier (13e with 33 points) also had an interesting operation, obtaining the draw on the lawn of the red lantern Clermont (1-1) after being led 1-0. The Auvergnats, who can still mathematically maintain their position, are in an unfortunate position. With 22 points, they are once again behind Metz (17e26 points), victorious over Lens on Friday (2-1).
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