On a good momentum since the beginning of the return phase, OL, unbeaten for seven matches in the league, confirmed their last two victorious outings against Paris (1-0) and Rennes (3-1).
The Rhone club returns before the other meetings of the day to two points of Lille and the fifth qualifying place for the Europa League Conference, its ultimate goal this season after being beaten last week by Nantes (1-0) in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France.
A competition that TFC, qualified for its part for the final at the Stade de France on April 29, already has well in mind now that its maintenance in the elite is almost certain, with 12 points ahead of the first relegation.
"We will win the Coupe de France," sang in the rain Friday the Toulouse fans, weaned of title since 1957.
They will be partly reassured by the ability of their team to react, who quickly responded to Lacazette's opening score.
Lyon's Rayan Cherki (l) overtakes Toulouse's Gabriel Suazo, on April 14, 2023 in Toulouse © Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP
After failing in the exercise against PSG, the former Gunner converted a penalty caused by the young Brazilian Jeffinho with a perfect counter-kick, stirring in attack in place of Bradley Barcola, suspended (0-1, 34th).
Back at the height of Kylian Mbappé (PSG) and Jonathan David (Lille) at the top of the ranking of the top scorers of L1, the Lyon striker missed the break of the head three minutes later when he found himself alone in front of the goal on a corner.
Toulouse equalized in the aftermath, on the counterattack, thanks to its Moroccan international Zakaria Aboukhlal (1-1, 37th), opportunistic on a bad clearance of the Lyon defense.
Rich in clear chances on both sides, including a strike on the crossbar of OL midfielder Corentin Tolisso (65th) and several saves from his goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, the match finally tipped over a new error by Téfécé's Chilean left-back Gabriel Suazo, already guilty on the penalty.
Toulouse striker Zakaria Aboukhlal has just equalized against Lyon, on April 14, 2023 in Toulouse © Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP
Rayan Cherki, once again very valuable, took advantage of his offering in the last minutes to push Logan Costa to score against his side under pressure from Lacazette (1-2, 88th) and allow Lyon to dream again of Europe.
© 2023 AFP