Décines-Charpieu (France) (AFP)

Lyon lost first place in Ligue 1 on Sunday, losing on their home turf against Metz (1-0) at the end of the 20th day, the Lyonnais' series of invincibility thus stopping at sixteen meetings.

OL are now third in the standings two points from a leading duo, Paris Saint-Germain and Lille, while Metz, who scored by Aaron Leya Iseka in the 90th minute, is 11th.

Thrown from deep, Leya Iseka eliminated goalkeeper Anthony Lopes to score in the empty cage, rewarding the good overall performance of Frédéric Antonetti's team.

The Messins, always very well organized and exploiting every possibility of cons, deserve their victory.

They knew how to take advantage of the sterile domination of their adversary.

Earlier in the match, the Brazilian Marcelo saved OL by returning the ball to his line after an attempt by Mamadou Gueye, the ball having first struck the post on a cross from the left of Farid Boulaya, just before the half-time (42nd).

Thomas Delaine also narrowly missed the frame (36th), as did Leya Iseka on a header (87th), and a shot from Pape Sarr hit the crossbar of Anthony Lopes (89th).

Metz could also have made better use of a few other offensive situations, facing an opponent who seems to have fallen behind since the second half against Lens on January 6.

Against the Northerners, OL led 3-0 before a comeback from the Lensois who only lost 3-2.

Last Saturday in Rennes, the Lyonnais were led 2-0 before snatching the draw (2-2) after a very average performance, like their playmaker, Lucas Paqueta, who did not either delivered a great performance against Metz.

What is really felt in the game of Rudi Garcia's team.

The Brazilian, without having succeeded in taking his partners in his wake as he has often done since his arrival at the end of September, was even replaced in the 67th minute by Houssem Aouar, spared for painful adductors.

- Oukidja determining -

However, Lyon obtained very good situations but the attacking trio, rarely well served and which did not combine as usual, was only very rarely in an ideal position.

And when they were, Karl Toko Ekambi and Tino Kadewere always missed the mark.

The first was dangerous three times in the first period (36th, 38th, 40th) while the Zimbabwean was threatening in the 44th minute and 52nd minute.

For his part, despite his efforts, Memphis Depay has always been well controlled by the Metz defense.

Maxwel Cornet, entered in the 67th minute in place of the Italian Mattia De Sciglio, was however quickly signaled with a very good opportunity on a deflected shot on the post by Metz goalkeeper, Alexandre Oukidja (74th).

It was just before a goal denied to Toko Ekambi for a slight offside from Aouar after the intervention of video assistance (74th).

At the end of the game, Oukidja was again decisive with a nice save on a point blank attempt by Aouar (85th), which kept his team in the match before Leya Iseka's victorious goal.

© 2021 AFP