(Almost) a shot at glory: Lyon in the 2017 Europa League
Legends
The 2016-17 season had started as a challenging one for Olympique Lyonnais. Despite the departure of Samuel Umtiti in the summer, the club had spent no money in the summer, and despite a stirring run to finish the previous season in second place, despite a serious injury to playmaker Nabil Fekir.
Domestically, losses to the likes of Dijon, Caen and Lorient were hamstringing their chances of returning to the Champions League, while in Europe, they struggled badly in the group stage, losing to ten-man Juventus and failing to beat Sevilla in either of their two matches. January would see the intriguing arrival of Memphis Depay, who would become a club legend, but had fairly little impact in that season.
In fact, it was in a competition in which Depay was cup-tied that Lyon would write an important chapter in their history, advancing to the semifinals of a European competition for just the second time after dropping into the UEFA Europa League. With Les Gones back in that competition this evening, we run back the team's thrilling set of ties, which, although it would end in defeat to Ajax in the semifinals, saw the likes of Corentin Tolisso and Alexandre Lacazette raise their game to another level. While both would leave that summer, fans of Les Gones will no doubt carry strong memories of their famous run in the competition.
AZ Alkmaar 2-11 Lyon
Despite having the likes of future or former Premier League players like Wout Weghorst, Ron Vlaar and others, John van den Brom's side was no match for Lyon. The first match, played in the Netherlands, was a 4-1 win for Lyon, with Houssem Aouar making his debut for the club off the bench. Playing clinically on the counter, OL got goals from Lacazette either side of halftime as they romped to a convincing win. The second leg saw Fekir, back from injury and firing, notch a hat trick to lead the team in a 7-1 win.
Fekir hat-trick on this day in 2017! ⚽️⚽️⚽️@OL_English || #UEL pic.twitter.com/6BMdzP5VMJ
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 23, 2023
Lyon 5-4 AS Roma
A more substantial challenge would beckon in the Round of 16, though, in the form AS Roma, who would reach the Champions League semifinals the following season. Under Luciano Spalletti, I Luppi were a force with which to be reckoned, boasting Mo Salah, Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi, Radja Nainggolan and Alisson, among others. Young defender Mouctar Diakhaby scored early doors in the first leg at home, but Roma came roaring back, taking a 2-1 lead into the break. Undeterred, Lyon responded with goals from Tolisso and Fekir before Lacazette finished the match off with a legendary goal in added time. Progress was (narrowly) secured with a 2-1 win at the Olimpico in the second leg, and another chapter was written.
L'empereur @LacazetteAlex. 🔴🔵
OL 4️⃣ - 2️⃣ Rome #OLRétro2017 pic.twitter.com/4UyiO0hv4Z— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) December 26, 2017
Lyon 3-3 Besiktas (7-6 on penalties)
Having beaten one of the competition's favorites, Lyon perhaps would not have expected as much trouble with Besiktas in the quarterfinals, but needed late goals from Tolisso and Jérémy Morel to edge the visitors, 2-1. In the reverse fixture, played in the cauldron of Istanbul, a brace from Talisca saw the match head to penalties, and each team converted their first six attempts, setting up a nervy conclusion. After a pair of misses from each team, Besiktas missed again and Maxime Gonalons converted to send Lyon into only their second European semifinal in the club's history.
Lyon 4-5 Ajax
In the semifinals, however, there would be no resurgence, despite a valiant effort from Bruno Génésio's side. A brace from future Lyon winger Bertrand Traoré helped the hosts to a 4-1 victory, leaving OL with all to do in the second leg. An early goal from Kasper Dolberg then made it 5-1 on aggregate, and despite the visitors having a man sent off, and Lyon pulling it back to 5-4, with Lacazette netting a brace, the tie would end there, capping what had been a magical run for Lyon.
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