Décines-Charpieu (France) (AFP)

Lyon struggled before winning widely at the expense of Lorient (4-1) on Saturday at Groupama stadium during the 36th day of Ligue 1 to get back on the podium and put pressure in the race for the Champions League on Monaco.

OL occupy 3rd place in the standings with two lengths ahead of the Monegasques (4th), who play Sunday in Reims and whom the Lyonnais had beaten on Sunday (3-2) at the Stade Louis II (3-2).

With this defeat, the Merlus (17th), who have not won any away match in 2021, are only one point ahead of Nantes (18th and barrage) who won against Bordeaux (3-0 ) earlier in the afternoon.

In the obligation to win in order to still believe in his chances of playing in the C1 next season by finishing on the podium, OL presented themselves in front of Lorient with a team weakened by the suspensions of Memphis Depay, Marcelo, Maxence Caqueret while Jason Denayer was injured, scars of the trip to Monaco.

On the other hand, the Italian Mattia De Sciglio, about whom the Olympique Lyonnais appealed to the CNOSF to contest the red card received after the post-match incidents in the Principality, had his suspension suspended.

He was established as a central defender alongside the young Sinaly Diomandé.

These absences do not explain in any case the very bad first period of OL, which again delivered a half-match, unable to print a rhythm before half-time, against a well-organized Lorient team but harmless.

Decisive scorer in Monaco, the young (17) Rayan Cherki was dangerous from the start with a recovery of the head above (1st) but it was not until the 40th minute to see goalkeeper Paul Nardi working in quick succession , twice in front of Tino Kadewere before Laurent Abergel deflected Cherki's final shot.

- Doubled by Guimaraes -

Finally, OL made the difference after half-time, with a much better performance.

Houssem Aouar, very discreet until then, was dangerous on a center that no one has taken (52nd) before opening the scoring closely following a pass from Cherki (54th).

Paqueta then increased the score to 2-0 after an action from Karl Toko Ekambi (65th) before a brace from Bruno Guimaraes.

He first scored from the penalty spot, awarded for a fault committed on himself by Fabien Lemoine, on his second attempt, Nardi being in front of his line during the first (70th).

He then worsened the score after a one-two with Islam Slimani, entered at half-time in place of Kadewere, non-existent (77).

At the end of the game, Thomas Monconduit reduced the gap with a shot in the top corner (4-1, 83 ').

He could have added a second goal in added time for a header (90 + 1).

In the first half, Lorient's Yoane Wissa missed the opportunity to give his team the advantage by sending the ball over after his face to face with Anthony Lopes (22).

© 2021 AFP