TOPS
Alternating the good and the less good in recent months, Maxence Caqueret delivered an excellent copy this evening. Positioned on the left of a three-way midfielder, his preferred position, he has been in the oven and the mill. Valuable in recovery, he was skillful in performing set pieces and led several counterattacks. A solid performance for number 6 Lyonnais.
If the score was goalless this evening, it is largely thanks (or because depending on the club you support) thanks to him. The Le Havre goalkeeper delivered a serious match from start to finish. Vigilant in the first half on a strike from Cherki and a few aerial releases, he pulled out all the stops when he returned from the locker room. He won two face-to-face matches, first with Nuamah (54’) then Cherki (82’). He relaxes well on a volley from Mama Baldé in the 72nd minute. Uncompromising this evening.
Loaned by Chelsea on the last day of the transfer window, the Portuguese international hopeful winger made a very interesting entry. Not clumsy with the ball, he combined well with his teammates in particular Lacazette, Caqueret and Cherki. He is also not far from offering a decisive pass to the latter. A way like any other to put Lyon supporters in the pocket.
FLOPS
If he is so often in flops, it is because we know this boy is capable of so much better. The light did not come from him this evening. Too many touches of the ball, not enough one-touch play…He forgets, for example, Lacazette thrown when his captain could go on goal. A typical evening for the Lyonnais playmaker, who wins matches but doesn’t make the right choices often enough. Let’s hope that Fabio Grosso manages to make him understand that sometimes you have to let go of the ball rather than passing your leg.
Coming into play in the 58th minute, he had the opportunity to help his team achieve the perfect heist. Launched on his right side, Casimir, who could have been among the top players, sends a perfect ball to six meters. Arriving launched, Grandsir has the goal wide open in front of him and just has to hit the target. He surprisingly managed to shoot over the top. An astonishing performance which allows him to be in these flops, as a goal would have completed a solid collective performance from his team.
Olympique Lyonnais is in sporting difficulty, and this can be felt in the stands. If the North and South turns were heard, the stands were, however, very empty. 35,000 spectators in a stadium with a capacity of 55,000, it looked bad on the screen. We must now hope that Lyon’s results will improve in the coming weeks, and that the supporters will follow.