(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights LYONNAIS - PSG
Still without a win this season, and having just sold Bradley Barker to Paris Saint-Germain,
Lyon were under significant pressure when they welcomed the reigning champions
to the Groupama for the weekend's final match.
Whilst PSG's season was finally kick-started last time out with a 3-1 win over Lens,
it's been a terrible start to the campaign for OL.
Just one point after three games and an off-field crisis to boot,
you were in at John Texter in a fixed-up feud with former president Jean-Michel Aulas.
It was the on-field crisis that quickly became evident here though,
the game was less than five minutes old when Corentin Tolisso gave away a penalty
for a clumsy foul on Manuel Ugarte.
Hélène Mbappé, of course, the man to step up and just about converting the spot-kick,
despite Anthony Lopez cutting a touch.
And it wasn't long before the lead was doubled, Ashraf Hakimi making it two
when Ousmane Dembele's cross intended for Mbappé,
followed kindly for the defender, and he snuck the ball just inside the far post.
A clumsy moment at the back gave the hosts an opportunity to reduce the Aubreyers,
but Ryan Schalke's strong effort was tipped over by Jujo Donnarumma.
As that save was good, the next was better.
Tolisso's chest and volley heading for the bottom corner,
but the big keeper down quickly to his right.
Having survived those couple of scares, the Parisians then pulled further clear
when Marco Asensio capped off a fine passing move.
Luis Spaniard becomes the first Paris player to record three goals
in his first three-league game since Neymar in 2017.
And he celebrated that fact by turning provider for Mbappé,
who snuck his second in off the post to make it 4-0 on the stroke of half-time.
This the fourth time the France's superstar has scored more than one goal against O.L.
in a top-flight match.
The home side, unsurprisingly, booed off at half-time.
A new loan signing, Armavelde, was introduced for the second half,
and immediately set about making a nuisance of himself.
It was defender Nicholas Takefiko who earned his side an opportunity to reduce the arrears.
The E.A.R. intervening, which repeals from the defender,
and the referee agreeing that Warren Zaire Emery had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Captain Tolisso somewhat making amends for giving away the game's first spot kick
by converting the second, but it was too little too late.
The champions move up to second.
Lyon drop to the very bottom of the table after their worst ever start to a campaign.