Lucas Paqueta and Memphis Depay got along perfectly on the pitch against the SCO on Sunday.

JEFF PACHOUD -

AFP

  • If OL were able to easily get rid of Angers on Sunday (3-0), it is in part thanks to the brilliant tandem formed by Memphis Depay and Lucas Paqueta.

  • Involved on the three goals of the match, they allow the Lyonnais to remain in ambush in the race for the podium.

  • On the OL side, the switch from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 wasted no time in having consequences for the development of the two international players.

At Parc OL,

Lyon supporters had to pinch themselves when they saw Sunday that Rudi Garcia could trade his sacrosanct 4-3-3.

Out of results and fluidity in the game for a month, the OL coach passed Angers (3-0) a conclusive test at 4-2-3-1.

It must be said that this system has the advantage of allowing:

  • An association of two backgrounds as generous as technically delicious, namely Maxence Caqueret and Bruno Guimaraes (Thiago Mendes was on the bench, only for the second time in 2021).

  • Islam Slimani finally has his chance at the top, where his pressing sets the tone, and not on the right side as against Rennes on March 3 (1-0).

  • And above all, the technical connection between Lucas Paqueta (in support of the center-forward) and Memphis Depay (shifted to the left wing) is obvious as never before.

The two main attacking talents of the Lyon squad undoubtedly speak the same football and it is anything but a coincidence that the Dutchman offered a golden ball to the Brazilian on the opening scoring, finally signed Memphis

himself

(1-0, 21st).

Rebelote in the opposite direction, in the second period, with a caviar in the depth of Lucas Paqueta for a winning lob pattern from the former Manchester United striker (3-0, 83rd).

In the meantime, Paqueta went there with his third goal in eight days (2-0, 41st), and regaled us with subtle exchanges with Depay.

🅰️ @ LucasPaqueta97


⚽ @ Memphis # OLSCO 3-0 pic.twitter.com/h8dZtFu4mc

- Olympique Lyonnais 🇧🇷🇵🇹 (@OL_Portugues) April 11, 2021

"This system puts Lucas Paqueta close to the goal"

"What Lucas Paqueta is doing is incredible," confides his compatriot Bruno Guimaraes.

I really like playing with him, he's my brother.

I'm happy to feed him with balloons, but also Memphis and Islam Slimani.

“Rudi Garcia returned to his tactical novelty of the day, which could also be dictated by the package of Tino Kadewere (injured).

"This system of play is interesting because it puts Lucas Paqueta close to the attackers and close to the goal", appreciates coach Rudi.

And what about Memphis Depay, the man with 16 goals in Ligue 1 this season and the impressive total of 100 balls touched during the reception of Angers?

"We know that when the captain touches a lot of balls, a lot of positive things can happen on the offensive side," recalls Rudi Garcia.

The conquering state of mind of Memphis, at the end of the contract in two and a half months, brings a lot to the group, beyond its stats.

Memphis Depay once again demonstrated on Sunday that he was OL's key player this season.

JEFF PACHOUD - AFP

"If we put it on the left, it takes the freedom to go in the axis and to the right"

“We know that Memphis is our 'different' player, praises Bruno Guimaraes.

The coach asked that he not get stuck on the left but rather that he come in number 10, that he create movements.

He had a great game.

It shows that he is a superb player.

"A feeling shared by the Angevin trainer Stéphane Moulin, who sees him" at international level ".

I believe you can put Memphis Depay right, left, or centerline.

When you have the talent, you have the talent ... His position on the left side is a replacement position.

He still spent a lot of time in the center.

He's even right on third base.

He is a player who needs freedom.

If we put it on the left, it takes the freedom to go in the axis and to the right.

We can not prevent him because he is so efficient and influences the game of his team.

We end up letting these kinds of players go where they want to go.

"

Stéphane Moulin is obviously not talking about the next transfer window in Lyon, but his observation would therefore apply almost to the powerlessness of Jean-Michel Aulas, who tried to the end to convince the current third top scorer in Ligue 1 to extend.

In vain, but his farewell gift could be to replace OL in the Champions League, or even more so.

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