Udoes not start successful. Olympique Lyonnais won 2 goals to 1 at home against AC Ajaccio on Friday August 5 at the start of the Ligue 1 season, with in particular a goal from the penalty spot by Alexandre Lacazette (21st) for his return to Lyon.
Mateus Tetê opened the scoring for the Lyonnais at the start of the game (11th) before the Lyon captain made the break ten minutes later. Thomas Mangani reduced the gap at the half-hour mark, also on a penalty, following a dangerous exit from Anthony Lopes, sent off for his gesture. The meeting was also marked by the expulsion from the Ajaccio side of the former Stéphanois Romain Hamouma in the added time of the first period.
The “Gones” nevertheless showed both defensive and offensive deficiencies, like last season. The pre-season meetings had not completely removed the doubts on this aspect, such as those, despite the victory, concerning coach Peter Bosz to lead the reconquest operation after an 8th place in L1 last spring, depriving the European Cup club.
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A troubled defense
The weaknesses of the rearguard were symbolized by the logical exclusion of goalkeeper Anthony Lopes following a foul in the box on Mounaïm El Idrissy, on a totally missed and dangerous outing at the half-hour mark. the action, the central hinge, and in particular Thiago Mendes, was overtaken by the speed of the Ajaccien striker while Thomas Mangani transformed the penalty against Rémy Riou, who came into play.
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While the workforce may still be called upon to change by the end of the transfer window at the end of August, with the possible departures of Houssem Aouar and Lucas Paquetà in particular, i.e. two midfielders out of the three lined up on Friday at kick-off, the problem of the absence of a professional and experienced central defender could well arise.
At that time, the ACA reduced the score (2-1) after OL scored two goals to logically lead 2-0 against an opponent deprived of the ball and forced to defend in their thirty meters.
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OL did not worry Ajaccio after returning from the locker room
Subsequently, the Lyon game fell apart, allowing the ACA to return to the game, especially at eleven against ten until Romain Hamouma was excluded in turn (45 + 1). And even again tied numerically at ten, Ajaccio was not in danger in the second half, and failed to equalize by Riad Nouri who took over Mendes forcing Riou to intervene effectively (60th).
For their part, OL proved unable to put the pace in their offensives and only a duel lost by the Argentinian Nicolas Tagliafico against goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy (63rd) and an action by Bradley Barcola (86th) created the danger on the island goal. The entry of Corentin Tolisso, also back in Lyon this summer, fifteen minutes from the end, has changed nothing. If OL have made a successful comeback, they still have work to do.