Tops
On the bench at the start of this match, the Pole came into play after returning from the locker room, in place of Machado. And the Sang et Or piston wasted no time in getting noticed. After the penalty obtained by Saïd, it was he who was responsible for converting the shot on goal. Without trembling, he perfectly wrong-footed Lopes. And while the Lyonnais had come back to the level, he gave Lens the advantage again, by scoring a nice volley from the left. A double in 24 minutes of play, which allowed his team to pocket the three points. And while Racing suffered at the end of the match, outnumbered following the red card addressed to Sotoca, he helped his team with his serenity and experience. He once again proved that he is one of the leaders of RC Lens.
You read correctly. Despite Nuamah, Cherki and company, Jack O’Brien is the top scorer of the Lyon season (tied with Lacazette). This shows the level of OL… Recruited this summer by John Textor from one of his other clubs, the Belgian team of Molenbeck, the Irish defender arrived in complete anonymity. However, after four days of Ligue 1, he is one of the only ones to have remained a starter under Blanc, Grosso and now wise. After obtaining Lyon’s only victory of the season by scoring with a header against Rennes, he scored twice from two corners hit by Nuamah. He is certainly at fault for the Lens equalizer, but the Irish defender is one of the rare rays of sunshine in the current Lyon slump.
On December 2, International Samba Day was celebrated. And the Lensois goalkeeper celebrated it in the best possible way. The French international made multiple saves throughout the game. Avoiding Lyon’s second goal in the 40th minute, he then stepped in front of Moreira (59th) and won his face-to-face with Cherki (71st). Above all, he maintained his team’s lead in the 81st minute, signing a decisive double save in front of Tagliafico. Finally, he reassured his team at the end of the match by signing well-felt aerial exits. Lens can say thank you.
Flops
Shelved during the Fabio Grosso era, the international hopeful from Lyon took advantage of this (new) change of coach to find a starting place. Better yet, he was positioned by Pierre Sage in his favorite position, as a playmaker. However, Cherki did not turn on the light. His connection with Lacazette, who lit up the end of the last Lyon season, is missing. In the second act, while Lyon was pushing to come back to the score, he attempted gestures which slowed down Lyon’s game. Worse still, he missed a big scoring opportunity in the 71st minute, and failed to open his score in Ligue 1. Lyon could, however, really need the level of play displayed with the Bleuets…
In line with his failed match midweek against Arsenal, the boss of the Lens defense got through it. On O’brien’s two goals, he gives him too much freedom and loses his duels. And even if it is not his role, he missed a huge opportunity in front of the empty goal, which would have allowed his team to widen the gap (65th). There is no doubt about his qualities which he has shown for several seasons, but a rebound is expected against Montpellier on Friday.
This is, ultimately, the main lesson of this meeting. After a very hectic week on the Lyon side, between new coach and change of coaches, the Rhone club ultimately failed to transform its good match into a positive result. Cruel for wise stone men, who badly need points. With this defeat, the eighth of the season, the Lyonnais are dead last in Ligue 1 with fewer points (7) than defeats on the clock (8). Despite everything, they remain “only” four points from Lorient, the roadblock.
