TOPS

The elusive Fofana

They went through hell. The Boakye-Maçon duo suffered the onslaught of the Gones’ new X factor, Malick Fofana. The Belgian was unstoppable in the first half, making inroads down the left, crossing dangerously (15th, 18th) and saving shots (27th, 34th). It was he who provoked the decisive corner. In the second half, he was the most active player on the OL side despite the dip in form. Already the scorer of five goals this season, the former Gantoise player has definitely found his place in Lyon’s eleven.

The General at attention

Who better than Alexandre Lacazette to break the deadlock. The man nicknamed “The General” put Lyon in the lead. In a position he knows well, the striker took Caleta-Car’s header, which Tolisso extended with his knee, to score the only goal of the match (28th). Without showing too much, the French international could have opened the scoring a few minutes earlier (26th), but his low shot hit the post. It was already his sixth Derby goal and fifth of the season in all competitions.

Larsonneur alone in the world

If ASSE didn’t take another beating, it was mainly thanks to their goalkeeper and captain Gautier Larsonneur. The former Brest man was close to a perfect match. Decisive from the very first dangerous shots, his reflex saves disgusted the Gones (25th, 27th). He had nothing to reproach himself for on Lacazette’s goal. If his team-mates didn’t raise their heads after the opening goal, he stayed in his game. Several further saves (32nd, 45+2) enabled the Greens to go into the locker room just a goal behind. Always solid in the second half, he committed the irreparable in the 81st. Fortunately, his failed clearance hit Mikautadze’s arm before Nuamah pushed the ball into the net. An attacking hand cancelled out the goal and allowed Dall’Oglio’s keeper to remain on a high personal note.

FLOPS

Les Verts’ defence still in the doldrums

It’s getting to be a lot. As has been the case since the start of the season, the Verts were not at their best at the back. Caught out by Lyon’s every attack in the first half, they could have relived the debacle in Nice. Fortunately, this time, ASSE didn’t take eight. thanks to their goalkeeper. And yet, the full-backs had a bad night. Too slow and too restless, Yvann Maçon and Léo Pétrot often chased down their respective opponents. In the middle, although Batubinsika put in a fairly decent performance with several fine interventions (18th, 24th), Nade was not in the game. With (already) 25 goals conceded in 11 games, only Montpellier is worse than Saint-Étienne (31 goals conceded).

Green with rage

In the 21st century, Lyon are the only Derby kings in their own backyard. Still no victory at Groupama Stadium for Les Verts, their last success came in 2014 at Gerland (a 2-1 win).. On Sunday, despite the Gones’ clear domination of the first half, there was still plenty of space. Sissoko even had the equalizer at his feet on a lightning counter-attack (75th). A terrible record for Lyon since 2000, in 22 matches they have won just two, drawn six and lost fourteen. Even more humiliating, Alexandre Lacazette has won more Derbys in the 21st century than Saint-Étienne (7 against 6).