Olympique Lyonnais won against AS Monaco this Friday evening for the 16th day of Ligue 1 (1-0). A success that looks like a turning point.
Despite the cozy atmosphere of the Principality, there was electricity in the air, at Louis-II, this Friday evening, for this clash between two strongholds of French football. In their recent era, AS Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais have often fought fierce battles, rich in goals and bickering, but the era of squabbles between Vadim Vasilyev and Jean-Michel Aulas seems so distant. The reality at the moment is that Monaco and Lyon are no longer swimming in the same waters. Dashing third in the standings, Adi Hütter’s team had the opportunity to temporarily beat their neighbor Nice in the event of a victory against OL, galvanized by their first home success last Sunday against Toulouse (3-0).
Lyon makes the perfect shot
Adi Hütter, the Monaco coach, approached this match with great vigilance. Because his team is already decimated by injuries and suspensions, with the notable absence of his playing master Golovin. And because Lyon remains Lyon. Still bottom of the standings, Pierre Sage’s team intended to make a move to validate its success against Toulouse (3-0) and make an unexpected leap to a 16th place in the play-off. The carrot was nice, and against all odds, OL were able to seize it. Dominated by a better-oiled team despite its imperfections of the day, the Gones resisted the Monegasque assaults to get their heads above water. They bent for a long time, but they didn’t crack.
And yet, to the point, it is Monaco who should have won this match. The residents of Louis-II had the necessary ammunition to take the lead, but they lacked a zest of realism and luck to make these highlights bear fruit. Diatta lacked promptness on a first strike from Balogun repelled by Lopes (13th), before the Gones goalkeeper once again intervened on an attempt from the former Rémois (37th), then on a shot from Akliouche (42nd). Great man of this meeting, Anthony Lopes confirmed his revival. The Lyonnais needed a great goalkeeper to outline the feat. And when he has not yet distinguished himself on his line (68th), the Portuguese was saved by his uprights, as in this powerful strike from Camara (53rd).
Still alive, the Lyonnais had to score to achieve the perfect hold-up. And everything happened like a dream when the duo Maitland-Niles – Jeffinho, who had just come into play, changed the match, the little Brazilian winger taking an offering from the Englishman (0-1, 85th). As old as football, this scenario still has its little effect. Especially when it hits a team on the edge of the precipice. OL are finally getting their heads above water. A few days before Christmas, it’s here, the real trigger.
