Décines-Charpieu (France) (AFP)
Lyon finally seems to find the right momentum. By winning at the expense of Saint-Etienne on Sunday in the 120th derby between the two rival clubs thanks to a double from Moussa Dembélé (2-0), OL rose to 5th place, keeping Europe in focus.
The Lyonnais, who won without shining in Metz (2-0) on February 21, even won for the third time in a row, counting the feat obtained against Juventus Turin (1-0) Wednesday in the Champions League .
They are still seven lengths from Rennes (3rd) and six from Lille (4th) but Europe may not be that far because Lyon has yet to face these two teams, outside, from here the end of the season. But also Marseille and Monaco at home.
With this good series and especially connections that are finally made between the players, OL can also believe in its chances Wednesday, still on its field, in the semi-final of the Coupe de France, to overthrow Paris SG, less d 'a month before the two clubs were again opposed in the final of the League Cup.
- Guimaraes transforms OL -
The game of the Rhone team is transformed with the contribution of the Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes, transferred in January from Athletico Paranaense (1st Brazilian div.) For an amount of 20 million euros.
A good move from sports director Juninho, who was persuasive in attracting the Olympic international into OL's nets.
Radiating as a sentry, especially in the first half, less after half-time, he recovered, eliminated, distributed and made his partners play well, first of all Houssem Aouar with whom he animated the midfield.
And it is only justice if the Lyonnais opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a goal from Moussa Dembélé who won victoriously from the head a free kick played on the left wing by Martin Terrier, awarded for a foul on him - even committed by Mathieu Debuchy.
Dembélé doubled the bet at the end of additional time by transforming a penalty awarded for a hand foul by Timothée Kolodzijczak after an action by Karl Toko Ekambi (2-0, 90 + 5). He brings his total to 16 goals in Ligue 1. It is also his 12th since the start of 2020, in all competitions.
- Lopes decisive for OL -
Lyon could even have won more widely if two goals had not been denied, to Lucas Tousart for a hand fault (67), first, then to Toko Ekambi for an offside position for Dembélé (80).
For their part, the Greens, handicapped by the absence of several important players such as Romain Hamouma, Wahbi Khazri, Zaydou Youssouf or Loïc Perrin, are in a dynamic opposite to that of the Lyonnais.
They descend from 15th to 16th row with only two points ahead of Nîmes (18th and barragiste). Since the 15th day, they have won only twice for a draw and they will have to fight to the end for the maintenance.
The Stéphanois only suffered in the first period before playing higher after half-time which allowed them to create some opportunities.
Thus, the Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes saved his team several times on a shot by Loïs Diony (50), already dangerous at the start of the game (9), on an attempt and a free kick by Denis Bouanga (58, 75) before Fernando Marçal did not save his team in extremis on an action by Kolodziejczak (88).
Like Lyon, Saint-Etienne will try to qualify for the final of the Coupe de France against Rennes, Thursday at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, with an opposite confidence capital to that of OL.
© 2020 AFP