Lyon lost 1-0 to Manchester United on Wednesday at Murrayfield in their pre-season game, a scoreline that could have been wider had it not been for the miracles performed by goalkeeper Anthony Lopes early in the game.
The two clubs were each playing their second pre-season meeting. Manchester United, winner of Leeds United (2-0) for their first outing, changed their entire team at half-time when OL waited until the 63rd minute to make ten changes.
The English may have taken advantage of the freshness of the substitutes to take the advantage at the very start of the second half, with a goal scored by Donny van de Beek with a volley at the reception of a cross delivered from the right wing by Daniel Gore (49th).
The start of the game was very painful for the young OL team, saved by Anthony Lopes on several occasions after technical inaccuracies in the recovery phase which allowed the Red Devils to put themselves in a very good position, without however concluding.
However, once the storm passed, the Lyonnais managed to position themselves a little higher and to be dangerous. They could even have obtained a penalty for a foul on the Swede Amin Sarr shortly before half-time.
OL coach Laurent Blanc opted for continuity by fielding the same starting lineup as on Saturday against De Treppers (3rd Dutch div.), a first match won 2-1 at the start. exception of the Croatian central defender, Dejan Lovren, injured and returned to Lyon.
OL, which ended their training period in the Netherlands with this match, which began on July 9, fielded their only two recruits, Angolan right-back Clinton Mata in the first half, then midfielder Skelly Alvero after the halftime and a very young central hinge composed of Sinaly Diomandé and Mamadou Sarr on the first 45 minutes.
Conversely, Lyon played without Maxence Caqueret, Castello Lukeba, Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki who played in the Euro hopes in June. Argentinian international left-back Nicolas Tagliafico made his comeback in the second half.
For the time being, recruitment for the Rhone club is at a standstill. Olympique Lyonnais remains subject to a measure to control its payroll and transfer allowances confirmed on Tuesday by the DNCG.
OL will continue their preparation on July 23 in Brussels, against RWD Molenbeek, John Textor’s Eagle Football club, before playing in Spain in Vigo against Celta on July 29.
