Lyon eliminates Strasbourg and qualifies for the semi-finals

Lyon reached the final four of the Coupe de France on Tuesday, February 27, winning at home against Strasbourg on penalties (0-0, 4-3 on the tabs) after a mediocre match.

The Lyonnais, in full resurrection in the league after a catastrophic start to the season, qualified for the semi-finals thanks to a flawless penalty shootout and the brilliance of their new goalkeeper, the Brazilian Lucas Perri.

Transferred at the start of the winter transfer window for 3.2 million euros from the Carioca club Botafogo, Perri, 26, was started for this match in place of Anthony Lopes as he had already been in the previous round against Lille (2-1). Impressive with his stature and his 1.97 m, the goalkeeper illustrates the successful transfer window of Olympique Lyonnais (OL).

“It’s an advantage for him. It takes up space in the goal and it is obvious that the shooters have to take risks and in fact the last one shot over. This has a psychological influence. He was keen to mark his first penalty shootout with a save. He did the right thing.”rejoiced OL coach Pierre Sage.

In fact, on penalties, Perri intervened on Thomas Delaine’s first attempt while Strasbourg’s Lucas Perrin sent the ball into the stands for the fifth shot on goal. For their part, the Lyonnais performed flawlessly.

OL continue their good run and win their sixth consecutive match, two in the cup and four in the league.

For Strasbourg, doubt sets in. This elimination comes after four consecutive defeats in Ligue 1 with a difficult end to the season in perspective, much more so than for OL who seem to be moving away from the relegation zone for good.

Lack of address of the Lyonnais

Before this penalty shootout, the two teams delivered a low-level match with numerous approximations, ultimately consistent with the ranking of the two clubs in Ligue 1 (10^e and 13^e).

Lyon largely dominated the first period against a limited opponent who refused to play. However, despite the unfailing support of the more than 56,000 spectators at Groupama Stadium, Pierre Sage’s men seemed tense by the stakes. Lacking rhythm in the offensive animation, they were very messy in the last 30 meters and did not create any chances before half-time.

A little more dangerous after the break, they lacked skill in front of the cage. Maxence Caqueret sent a shot over despite a good position (51^e) before Saïd Benrahma narrowly missed the target (53^e) then does not find the post on a corner played directly (56^e).

Entering the game in place of the injured Alexandre Lacazette, Gift Orban collided with goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch (81^e) before Jake O’Brien sent a header just over the top following a corner (85^e). It was very insufficient to take the advantage and Strasbourg could have taken advantage of a resumption of Mahamadou Diarra’s header when receiving a cross delivered from the right wing (75^e).

On Sunday, OL will host Lens (8:45 p.m.), hoping to continue to climb the rankings.