Nanterre (AFP)

Half-sensation at the U Arena: Lyon has conceded two tries, the first this season, but held good against Racing 92 Saturday (31-20) for his fifth victory in five days of Top 14, plunging the Ile-de-France club in the crisis.

That this electric match was difficult for the LOU, never safe in the arena of the Sky and White, but more than ever leader with already 22 points. It is a message that they send to Bordeaux, another ogre of this beginning of the season which will go under pressure in Montpellier to stay in the rhythm infernal rhodanien.

Deprived of many globalists, including five members of the XV of France in Japan, Racing has trusted eleven players trained at the club. Average age 25 years for the starting 15. A forced bet, which did not pay: the Racing vegetates in 13th place with only one victory.

From the start, it was the LOU who set the pace in the 22 of Racing with the first try in the end of the winger Seru Noa Nakaitaici (8th, converted 7-0). A second, the Kaabeche pillar, came to confirm the domination of Lyon (19th, 14-3).

The match could then have turned into a demonstration with what appears to be the third try of the LOU after a 70-meter run by Charlie Ngatai, but he's turned down for a go-ahead. Racing took the opportunity to settle in the 22 opponents, and flatten by Juan Imhoff (35th). First time this season for the Lyon goal, remained immaculate 355 minutes.

The first period is concluded by a general fight which ends in the billboards, in front of the barn of 3rd half, and by two yellow cards (38th, Iribaren, Ivaldi).

After the break, Thibaut Regard's two tries (53rd, 77th) allowed the LOU to keep the advantage, despite that of Brice Dulin (63rd) for the Parisians. A week of shock against the UBB, the Lyonnais have therefore for the first time trembled. Without breaking.

© 2019 AFP