Transferred last summer to Paris Saint-Germain, more than ever leader of the French championship, Bradley Barcola has not only made people happy with this career choice. Frustrated by his departure, Lyon supporters have never hidden their anger towards the young Tricolore. Already heckled when he entered the game in the first leg (4-1) last September, the French international hopeful was entitled to another spicy reunion this Sunday, at the end of the 30th day of Ligue 1. During the week, several Rhone fans, through social networks, had already promised hell to their former protégé. A resentment logically materializing at the Parc des Princes. Once again established by Luis Enrique after his excellent performance in Barcelona, the OL defector was heavily whistled by his former supporters as soon as the lineups were announced.
Booed and insulted on his first touches of the ball, Barcola was however able to count on the support of an Auteuil turn committed to his cause to overcome this deleterious climate. And what could be better than a thunderous start to the match to cool down the Lyon pitch? Shifted to the left, the 21-year-old offered himself a first decisive breakthrough. After playing Ainsley Maitland-Niles, he finally saw Nemanja Matic deflect his cross… into the goal of an Anthony Lopes caught on the wrong foot (3rd). Lively, available for his partners and very energetic, the new darling of the Park continued his momentum. Positioned at the near post, the Ile-de-France number 29 extended Marco Asensio’s corner to allow Lucas Beraldo to make the break (6th). A goal that the person concerned did not fail to celebrate against the Gones present in the Parisian enclosure… In all the good shots, the right-hander then continued to tumble into his left lane, to the great misfortune of the rearguard Lyonnaise.
Barcola delights Paris and chambers OL!
Technically fine (5 successful dribbles out of 7 attempted), he played his opponent very regularly and could even have found the net with a little extra success. Served at the far post after a solitary rush from Achraf Hakimi, the former Lyonnais unfortunately saw his shot smash the OL post (34th). Before that, he also solicited Lopes (14th), while showing appreciable altruism (19th). At the origin of the action leading to the third Parisian goal, Barcola simply shined with 8 duels won out of 16 contested, 2 shots on target, 4 balls recovered and an interception. Untenable throughout his match – he was replaced by Senny Mayulu shortly after the hour mark (68th) – great architect of the new Parisian success and credited with a 7.5 by the FM editorial team, the one who sees his contract run until ‘in June 2028 was then logically praised by his coach at a press conference.
“That’s why we recruited him. Both the sports management and the staff, we identified that he was capable of adapting in the corridor, he can also play 9. He can overflow and attack in depth. We therefore have more resources. We controlled the game wonderfully in the first half, the midfield was very good and we were able to gain depth. We dominated the match and attacked the depth, that’s ideal”analyzed Luis Enrique, already rave about him a few days earlier. “I believe that Bradley was a bet from the sports management and the staff, he is a French player with very high level technical and physical potential. Climbing this step is difficult, regardless of age. After the match against Newcastle, he received a lot of criticism. There was nothing more unfair and far from reality. That’s not why we only have to say positive things today. He works very well day after day. We are delighted with his performances and the young players we recruited, that was the objective”. The interested party will appreciate it. OL a little less…
