UEL Recap: Lyon & Fernabahçe play out scoreless draw

With two games to go in the group stage of the Europa League, the clash between Fernabahçe and Lyon would be vital for both sides - but for very different reasons. Pierre Sage's Lyonnais have been performing well this season in European competition, going into the game in fourth position. Les Gones have however been in less-than ideal form since the start of January. An elimination from the Coupe de France coupled with some bad results in the league has seen the pressure mount on manager Pierre Sage. There was much at stake for José Mourinho's side too, with Fernabahçe sitting currently perilously in 21st in the UEFA Europa League table and fighting to stay in the competition in a must-win affair.

Despite an initially promising start from the hosts, OL would try and hold onto the ball to try and take the heat out of the affair in Istanbul after weathering an initial storm of Turkish attacks. Les Gones began to threaten themselves, with Georges Mikautadze's spectacular overhead kick whizzing just over the bar. Lyon would then get the biggest chance of the game so far, as Tolisso's strike was parried away in a fantastic save from Egribayat. Les Gones pushed in the first-half period and could consider themselves the side with the most attacking promise in the game. Yet just before the half-time whistle, Moussa Niakhaté thought he would have to exit the pitch for a harsh straight red when he went in 50/50 for a crunching sliding challenge, but it was overruled by VAR much to the relief of Les Gones.

A tight test in Istanbul

During the second half, Fernabaçhe would have the ball in the back of the net via Youssef En-Neysri but it was ruled out by an earlier handball. Les Lyonnais threatened through Mikautadze, Benrahma, and Lacazette after he came onto the pitch early following an injury for Malick Fofana. Lucas Perri had to stay vigilant to save after some good combination play between Dzecko and Saint-Maximin, as the hosts started to crank up the pressure. Rayan Cherki had a great chance from a freekick, but his well-hit strike was well-saved by Egribayat. Les Gones made one last push in injury time, but the points would be shared between the two sides.

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