This Olympique Lyonnais team is not as strong as the one that caused unrest at Manchester City in the organisational stages of the 2018/19 Champions League, but that did not save them from winning 3-1 in the quarter-finals against one of the tournament’s favourites.
What is Pep Guardiola, Lyon coach, Manchester City prepared for? In fact, it is not the price of 11/1 for this eighth draw in Lisbon.
Lyon’s seventh place in Ligue 1 last season was accompanied by the great warning that there were ten games left to play when the French season was interrupted and the league standings were a consistent problem with the game. However, it will remain on the record books as its worst result since 1997, and questions have been asked to his manager, Rudi Garcia, since he took office in October last year.
The former Roma and Marseille coach has been popular with some Lyon supporters, and some of his tactical decisions in the league this season have made little difference.
Despite all this, Guardiola seemed to base his tactic on the opponent, as if City himself were the loser. Their resolve to leave with a side more than 3 ends was noticed as a sign of respect for Lyon, but you can say that it showed them too much.
Although this formula has been used several times this season, a city team betting their 4-3-3 most familiar would have had enough to defeat a Lyon team that won’t even play the Europa League next season.
And even with its 3 unknown sides, Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garci and Fernandinho, the City has still had enough to win, and statistics will show that it was the dominant team, but the uncertainty born in its initial configuration favored the mistakes and saw them. lose a tip as well as an intellectual touch at key moments of the game.
Once Lyon took the lead, it remained for forty-five minutes, and there were only ten minutes between Kevin De Bruyne’s draw and Moussa Dembélé’s goal, which turned out to be the winner. The people never got ahead of the other.
In the last ten minutes, Raheem Sterling failed a goalkeeper before an Ederson mistake gave Dembélé a second. Despite these apparent incidents that replaced the match, there were many other moments for Lyon, adding up the interventions of several players and the performances of the team as a whole that were vital for them to stay in and win the match.
Perhaps the vital maximum of those an interception through The Brazilian left-back In the 3rd minute. Had he not redirected the ball on his way to Gabriel Jesus, The City would have actually taken the lead and Guardiola’s team could flee with games as they advance so early.
While the early interception of Marsal is vital from a defensive point of view, midfielder Maxence Caqueret was able to make a key offensive interception in the middle of the moment, reading a pass from Aymeric Laporte before starting the play that led to the winning goal of Lyon.
The 20-year-old a dying nuisance in the center of the park along Hossem Aouar, and they also have no strategy to accompany his tenacity.
Later, goalscorers Maxwel Cornet and Dembélé took advantage of the kind of opportunities City may not have, but striker Karl Toko Ekambi is also a very important presence for Lyon.
The resistance and intelligent movement of the Cameroonian international, around a defensive line of the City that was more of dog legs than tenacious, produced Cornet’s first purpose and, along with his striking wife Memphis Depay, meant that Lyon had a consecutive retreat.
The additional City player on the defensive line in the first half caused more trouble than he warned, so Ekambi enjoyed the paintings of his night and continued to do so even as City moved on to 4 sides.
Behind the City defensive line, Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson is praised for his fielding skills and his ball skills. In that quarter-final, he looked like a gardener playing for a purpose but not in a smart way.
He was still in the giant when Cornet’s shot rolled into the pole. His poor positioning meant he hadn’t even tried to make a precaution and could only stand and watch the ball pass through it. The purpose of Lyon’s moment passed through him, and the third came here thanks to his trial and error of Aouar’s shooting.
It was in stark contrast to Lyon’s Portuguese striker Anthony Lopes, who was strong between the poles at the other end. Although he did not seem to be completely in control, his presence and assertiveness did the job.
Moving away from the main points to look at the bigger picture can be the ultimate disappointing defeat of Guardiola’s tenure in the City. After a poor Campaign in the Premier League, it was a game and tournament that not only needed to win, but also had to save such a disappointing season for this incredibly talented player organization.
For Lyon, it’s a sign that something is brewing for Garcia before his first full season at the helm.
In Caqueret they have a player who has already proven to be a more than enough substitute for Lucas Tousart. The local academy product has the motivation and cunning to push the club to the table, while Ekambi seems like a smart business and an option if one from Dembélé or Depay leaves.
Lyon will once again be disadvantaged in the technique of the semi-finals. They face a Bayern Munich who will stick to a football formula and a taste that has marked them as one of Europe’s formidable top bands under Hansi Flick. Guardiola can see this semi-final and wish he had done the same.
From America to Africa, I practice football all over the world for Forbes. My Fit Day reports on the English Premier League, Liverpool, Everton and
From America to Africa, I practice football all over the world for Forbes. My match day reports are concentrated in the English Premier League, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City teams from the press gallery in the UK and Europe. The widest angles are concentrated in world football: from World Cups to the Champions League finals, from youth football to foreign matches, I have written on all facets of the beautiful game for media such as The Guardian, BBC and Goal. I have reported on matches in the main nations of European football, adding the Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga, and I have also written a lot about football in North America and Africa. Some of my paintings refer to in-depth tactical research and popularity reports, examining the play styles of various head coaches, game numbers and their long-term stars. I am the founding editor of the Football Media Global Football Index, which produces articles, podcasts and reports from journalists, scouts, coaches and fans.