It's the end of Lyon's winning streak: after three victories in three games, Les Gones suffered their first defeat of the season in the Europa League on Thursday, November 6, losing 2-0 to Betis Sevilla.
The task was not that difficult on Thursday evening at the Olympic Stadium in La Cartuja, the temporary home of Betis, currently fifth in La Liga. Even for a largely reshuffled Lyon team, ahead of Sunday's clash with PSG in Ligue 1.
However, OL lost for the first time in this European campaign, though not completely dominated, but rather leaving with the feeling that a different start could have allowed them to bring home at least one point and remain undefeated in the Europa League.
Too timid in attack, particularly in the absence of 2018 World Cup winner Corentin Tolisso and young Belgian Malick Fofana, the Rhône-based club will regret not getting fully into the game and conceding from two set pieces.
Paulo Fonseca's men, who had relied on young talents trained at the club, Khalis Merah and Enzo Molebe, 18, lacked concentration and were caught off guard twice in five minutes, even though they had control of the ball.
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No comeback for OL
Moroccan winger Ez Abde, who was behind the first dangerous strike for the Andalusians, took advantage of Lyon's passivity by cutting in from a corner deflected by former OM and Sochaux player Cédric Bakambu.
Five minutes later, Brazilian Antony, found deep in the box on a free kick from Marc Roca in his own half, broke away behind the defence and doubled the lead with a well-placed lob.
Trailing by two goals at halftime, despite a late surge initiated by American midfielder Tanner Tessmann, OL came back from the locker room with more desire and intensity, led by Portuguese player Afonso Moreria, who came on in place of Molebe.
Lyon academy star Khalis Merah, quiet in the first half, came within inches of scoring a goal after nutmegging his opponent, but his right-footed shot grazed the left post.
The French comeback did not materialize, despite Fonseca's coaching, which saw him bring on two regular starters, England's Tyler Morton and the Czech Republic's Pavel Sulc, and a daring attempt by Mathys de Carvalho.
Lyon is no longer undefeated, but the finishing in the top eight remains achievable, provided they give it their all to avoid any regrets.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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