Olympique Lyonnais earned a draw (1-1) on Tuesday, August 18, in the first leg of the Champions League play-off against Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, maintaining a good chance of qualifying for the C1 before the return match at home on August 26.
Unable to create danger in the Fenerbahçe area during the first half hour, the Lyonnais took the lead in the 40the minute on their first real opportunity of the match, in front of their few dozen supporters who had made the trip.
Well served by Tolisso, already author of two assists against Sparta Prague in the 3e preliminary round of the C1 (1-2, 3-0), Openda appeared at the near post, deceiving Ederson with a header slightly deflected by Skriniar’s back.
But as during their trip to Prague, where they took the lead shortly before half-time before conceding two goals on the hour mark, Paulo Fonseca’s men suffered after returning from the locker room.
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Sporting and financial challenge for OL
On the first action of the Turks in the second half, the ex-Marseillais Mason Greenwood crucified Greif with a powerful strike from the left after playing Abner (47e1-1).
Openda narrowly missed giving OL the lead five minutes later, but his low shot ended up hitting Ederson’s left post.
In the deafening Turkish enclosure, Paulo Fonseca’s men, who had lined up at kick-off the same eleven as in the return match at home against Sparta Prague, failed to see Fenerbahçe go back in front in the score.
At the 80ethe Malian Nene Dorgeles crushed his shot on Greif’s left post. The entry into play of Romelu Lukaku at 81e minute on the Turkish side has changed nothing.
The Lyonnais, with a squad still under construction, will have to win in the return match if they want to return to a Champions League which they have not played in since the 2019-2020 season.
Beyond the sporting issue, participation in the premier event of inter-club competitions will be crucial for OL’s finances, always under the supervision of the authorities.
The Turks will also be keen to give their all for this high-risk return match, having not participated in the C1 since the 2008-2009 season.
With AFP
