Tops
He won’t soon forget this match. Established in defense this Friday evening, Paul-Friedrich Koller especially showed his advantage on the offensive level. The SCR Altach player opened the scoring in the first period, with a header, from a corner on the right side played at the far post and put away by his teammate Leopold Querfeld (25th). After the break, he stood out again on a right-side corner, this time shaking the net with his foot, following a missed return from Thierno Ballo (75th). A decisive double for Austria!
Not at ease in the first half, notably with dangerous ball losses, Castello Lukeba, wearing the captain’s armband, was able to pull himself together (a little). After the break, the current RB Leipzig defender put more commitment into the duels and was cleaner in his ball exits. Insufficient, however, to prevent the Bleuets from losing.
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Flops
The tile for Johann Lepenant. Starting in the midfield, the Lyonnais – who does not benefit from much playing time with his club – injured his knee in the twelfth minute of play, all alone, while trying to tackle the ball. The ex-Caennais was unable to regain his place. He limped off the field, helped by two members of the medical staff. He was forced to give up his place to Lucas Gourna-Douath. We hope that his absence will not be too long…
Used to flaming with the Bleuets, Rayan Cherki did not live up to expectations this Friday evening. The French playmaker often gave the impression of playing out of time and making the wrong choices. He also clearly lacked efficiency in front of goal – something for which he is often criticized -, as during his face-to-face with Nikolas Polster just after the break (47th). A match to forget for the Lyonnais!