Lyon edge Racing in 7-goal thriller

On a wild evening at Groupama Stadium, Olympique Lyonnais kicked off Matchday 3 of Ligue 1 McDonald’s with a stirring 4-3 win over Racing Club de Strasbourg, coming from behind twice thanks to a brace from substitute Gift Orban.

A Swedish Masterclass

Playing a new-look lineup, with Félix Lémerechal lining up alongside Emanuel Emegha in attack, Racing manager Liam Rosenior saw the early part of the match go his way. After withstanding some early pressure from the hosts, Swedish international Sebastian Nanasi, making his first start since arriving a fortnight ago, scored in just the second minute of the match. Lyon would respond with a fury, as Pierre Sage had also opted for a tactical shift, playing a 3-4-1-2 with Georges Mikautadze lining up next to Alexandre Lacazette in attack.

The Georgian gave it his all, but time and again, his efforts were denied by Nanasi's countryman, Karl-Johan Johnsson - the Swede made eight saves on the evening. Lyon's best efforts saw them in full attack mode, and they were almost caught on the counter on a fine through ball from Andrey Santos to Emegha, but the young Dutchman would see his effort blocked by Lucas Perri. Just before halftime, though, Corentin Tolisso would react first to a blocked shot, turning home in stoppage time to level the match, just reward for Les Gones' efforts.

GIFT ORBAN 🔥

4-3 #OLRCSA pic.twitter.com/nXSDSDYao9

— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) August 30, 2024

Sage changes

Those efforts looked to be going for nought after, the break, though, as Santos scored his second goal in as many matches, dispatching a looping header into goal just three minutes into the second half. Less than ten miutes late, Racing had even doubled their lead as Emegha also scored for the second match running, giving his side what looked to be a secure 3-1 lead. 

Lyon looked rattled, but a baying home crowd and key changes from embattled manager Pierre Sage would make the difference, as at the hour mark, he brought on Malick Fofana and Gift Orban. Just moments later, Lyon had one back as Ainsley Maitland-Niles stabbed home a loose ball before Orban leveled the score on a play that initially had seemed offside. 

Now with the crowd solidly behind them, Lyon continued to press for a winner, building momentum before Orban struck again with less than twenty minutes left, giving his side the final margin. Rosenior also made several changes, but in vain, and the score would remain unchanged, with Les Gones securing their first victory of the 2024/25 season. 

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