Lisbon (AFP)
Lyon's dream logically ended against Bayern Munich (3-0), in the Champions League semi-final, Wednesday in Lisbon. Paris SG will therefore face the German club for the title on Sunday.
Like its rival Saint-Etienne in 1976, the epic of OL hit a post. The fate of Karl Toko-Ekambi's strike, pushed back by the left upright of Manuel Neuer, will inevitably haunt the Lyonnais, who dominated at that time (17th).
A minute later, Serge Gnabry opened the scoring (18th), sealing the outcome of the European adventure of Gones, who have not found the resources to recover.
After the exploits against Juventus and Manchester City, Rudi Garcia's men lacked that bit of success which would have enabled them to compensate for their talent deficit against the big favorite of the "Final 8".
They managed an exciting start to the match, but between the failure of Toko-Ekambi and the duel lost by Memphis Depay (4th), the wasted opportunities pay dearly against Bayern, who did not need so much of attempts to beat Anthony Lopes.
Gnabry's double (33rd) even suggested a scenario "Barcelona-style" for the Bavarians, who pulverized Barça in the previous round (8-2). But their formidable efficiency failed them (22nd, 38th, 50th, 90th).
- the 15th for "Lewy" -
Robert Lewandowski, heading for his 15th achievement of the season in the competition, gave a more severe air to the score, not reflecting the state of mind of the Lyonnais, who fought in the second half to afford a dignified exit.
The beautiful story of OL therefore ends in the semifinals, as in 2010, when Bayern - decidedly - had slammed the doors of the big leagues in his face (1-0, 3-0).
The calendar turned upside down by the coronavirus deprives its supporters of a summer of rehashing the images of his exploits, from the outbreak of Maxence Caqueret to the crazy debuffs of Maxwel Cornet. From August 28, the reception of Dijon, in Ligue 1, will have the effect of a hard return to reality for Lyon.
The absence in the European Cup at the start of the school year, for the first time since 1996-97, heralds an agitated transfer window, with the expected departure of some executives of the workforce, starting with midfielder Houssem Aouar. Uncertainty hangs over the legacy of this unexpected summer.
To continue dreaming, French football is therefore turning to Paris SG which can bring it its second C1, after Marseille in 1993.
The poster between the ambitious PSG, which plays its first final, and the German stronghold, in search of its 6th title (the first since 2013), promises an XXL opposition, between two top names who have left no luck to the underdogs Leipzig (3-0) and Lyon in the semi-finals.
- XXL final -
In front of his television, coach Thomas Tuchel noted the solidity of the Bavarian block, reinforced by the complementarity of the hinge between David Alaba and Jérôme Boateng, and the efficiency of goalkeeper Neuer, decisive on several occasions (9th, 58th, 86th) .
In the corridors, Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry were also impressive, and controlling their influence will be one of the keys for Paris. They are the engines of a team that never stops attacking.
The Parisian technician also saw the return to the field of Benjamin Pavard, the usual holder who injured an ankle in early August and benefited from a few minutes against Lyon.
But Lyon also gave him some keys to force the Munich safe, which chained a 21st consecutive success. OL created chances by playing behind the defense.
That's how, after a superb opening from Caqueret, Depay escaped to stand alone against Neuer. Likewise, Léo Dubois launched Karl Toko-Ekambi on the right side, before the Cameroonian international found the post.
The three-way defense also showed that the German strike force, which remained on an average of more than four goals per game in the competition, could be rather contained. It's up to Parisians to do better.
© 2020 AFP