Lyon were hoping to make it 5 wins in a row and move further up the table as they travelled to face relegation-threatened Metz in the first match of Round 23 in Ligue 1.
Metz scored the game’s opening goal thanks to a great piece of play from Mikautadze. The Georgian international seized on a loose pass to knock the ball beyond a flatfooted O’Brien before putting the ball into the roof of the net. This goal in the 13th minute came against the run of play with Lyon dominant in the early proceedings.
Following the Metz opener, Lyon looked nerved. Pierre Sage’s team lacked composure in possession and looked nervous as they received the ball. Despite a first half where they were wasteful for the most part, Lacazette levelled the match with the last kick of the half. Clinton Mata’s shot fell into the Lyon captain’s path and he did brilliantly to control before finishing beyond Oukidja with aplomb. The sides couldn’t be separated at the break.
After a much more positive start to the second half, Saïd Benrahma made the desired impact off the bench to give Lyon the lead. Caqueret managed to find the Algerian with a brilliantly played square pass and Benrahma made no mistake as he beat the Metz stopper via the post to score his first goal for the club.
Benrahma’s goal would be the decider and complete another comeback for Lyon as they record a fifth victory in a row.
Lyon player ratings:
Anthony Lopes – 6
Clinton Mata – 6
Duje Ćaleta-Car – 6
Jake O’Brien – 4, Surprisingly by his impressive standards this season, the Irishman had a tough night. Mikautadze left him for dust as he scored the first goal of the game, and his overall direction and choice of pass were poor in the early stages and throughout the match he could be seen drifting out of position.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 5
Nemanja Matić – 6
Maxence Caqueret – 7, The France U21 international was imperious once again in the middle of the park. Caqueret appeared everywhere on the park leading the press from midfield and winning the ball back in vital areas. His assist for Benrahma’s goal showed great vision too.
Orel Mangala – 6
Ernest Nuamah – 6
Alexandre Lacazette – 7, Lyon’s captain showed his excellent efficiency in front of goal once again. Lacazette was far from involved in the first half and then when his team needed him most he popped up with the goal right before half-time. In the second half, he was much more involved and acted as a great facilitator in attacks.
Gift Orban – 5, The Nigerian struggled being played out of position on the left flank. He constantly ran into the channels and displayed the positive movement he normally shows when playing through the middle. However, when receiving the ball on the left he failed to make things happen and was replaced by Benrahma at half time.
Substitutes:
Saïd Benrahma – 7, An instant impact. After a difficult first half, the West Ham loanee was brought on at half time to make an impact in attacking areas and did just that with his first goal for OL in the 60th minute. The Algerian showed great ability to find space in attacking phases of play.
GFFN | Liam Wraith
