Sotoca reveient fort, Orban transparent.
AFP / OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE
Lens largely won against Lyon at the end of the 24th day of Ligue 1 (0-3). Find out what caught the attention of the editorial staff.
Tops
Sotoca, what a comeback!
Author of a striking entry against Monaco last weekend (2-3), Florian Sotoca logically found a starting place this Sunday. And the 33-year-old hurt OL very badly. Very prominent on the right side, he was responsible for making Lensois’ big highlight come true in the first half, with a header from close range. His twenty-sixth goal in Ligue 1 in the northern jersey (Opta). Effective in this action, and very efficient in the direction of the game. His complicity with Aguilar, also very active, was one of the strong points of the RCL in this match.
Lopes’ huge parade in front of Wahi
This is one of the strong images of this closing match of the 24th day. Dominant but muddled for a long time in the first period, the Lensois finally accelerated as the break approached. Wahi, perfectly served by Frankowski, got the first northern opportunity, but his point-blank recovery was repelled by a huge save from Anthony Lopes. The Lyon goalkeeper relaxed perfectly on his line to achieve this sublime save. One of the best interventions by a goalkeeper this season in the championship. Unfortunately for OL, this brilliant gesture only postponed the deadline.
Pereira Da Costa still precious
Thomasson and Fulgini will have a hard time stealing his starting place. Very convincing since the end of his physical problems and his return to the Lens eleven, David Pereira Da Costa once again produced a great performance, on several registers. Franck Haise had given him the instructions to minimize Matic’s influence in the Lyon game as much as possible. A delicate mission, but successful. Very present in pressing, the Portuguese playmaker also knew how to create differences with the ball. Like his work and his decisive pass on the opening score.
Flops
Orban did not exist
The absence of Lacazette was cruelly felt among Les Gones. Aligned at the forefront following the loss of the Lyon captain, Gift Orban showed nothing good. Never dangerous and much too messy. His inability to keep the ball prevented the Lyon block from going up a notch in certain sequences. Insufficient for an hour, the young Nigerian recruit was quickly asked to join the bench in the second half.
Cackle in bad times
Good but especially bad for Maxence Caqueret. Promoted to captain following Lacazette’s withdrawal, the Lyon midfielder got into his match well. But like his team, he disappeared from sight as soon as Lens knew how to pick up the pace. Clearly involved in the first two Lensois goals. Too soft and easily eliminated by Pereira Da Costa on the opening score, it was he who conceded the penalty transformed by Wahi. His hand in the area, which had escaped the referee but not the Var, allowed the Lensois to double the lead very quickly in the second half.