Lyon continued its rise in the standings by winning a fourth victory in a row in L1, at Metz (1-2), in a match – the first of the 23rd day – which it dominated overall. Reinvigorated since the arrival at their head of Pierre Sage, they are in tenth place with twenty-eight points, having been bottom for a moment at the start of the season.
The Messins, in bad shape in penultimate place, opened the scoring through Mikautadze at the start of the match, but OL turned the situation around with a nice goal from Lacazette just before the break (45 1) then a goal from Benrahma at the hour mark (60th). Almost non-existent after the break although they had managed to create chances in the first half, they suffered a ninth defeat in ten matches (for a draw in Marseille).
If the Lyonnais had the ball at their feet from the start, the Messins were able to take advantage of a certain excitement in defense. After a ball recovered thanks to pressing, Milkautadze went off on his own to lob Lopes gently (12th): the striker’s first garnet achievement since his return to Moselle. The Rhone residents were very close to drinking the broth three minutes later but Lopes pushed Lamine Camara’s shot horizontally (15th). The Lyon rearguard, lacking serenity, offered a few boulevards. Without the Mosellans being able to take advantage of it.
Solid in defense, the Lorraines first annihilated Lyon’s first attempts. Oukidja was very present on two strikes from Caqueret (24th) then from Nuamah (26th). Mangala, all alone at the penalty spot, did not get his header on target (34th). On the other side of the field, Sabaly was too short on a cross from Lamine Camara (37th), like Udol on a cross from Colin (38th). Lamine Camara recovered another ball from Lyon’s feet but Lamkel-Zé did not wrap his shot up enough (42nd).
The Lyonnais had the merit of believing in it until the end and equalized in added time. The Metz defense was slow to emerge. Mata tried his luck and Lacazette on the trajectory took the ball back to put his team back in the match (45th 1). Benrahma, who had replaced Orban at the break, logically took the lead at the hour mark. Oukidja repelled Caqueret’s shot but the replacement victoriously regained the ball (60th). This goal woke up the Messins. Mikautadze, however, lacked precision and Lamle-Zé, well launched by Udol, made the wrong choice again (68th).
