Tagliafico helps in-form Lyon past Nantes

In an eventful afternoon at the Groupama Stadium, Olympique Lyonnais comprehensively beat FC Nantes, 2-0. A goal from left back Nicolás Tagliafico and an own goal from Nicolas Pallois was enough to lift Les Gones into a provisional seventh with their second league win in a row, and fourth in all competitions.

Nantes with the early initiaitive

With Lyon having played away in the UEFA Europa League mid-week, manager Pierre Sage made several changes, with injuries to Nemanja Matic and Clinton Mata notably forcing his hand. Nantes also made changes from their home draw against Saint-Étienne, with Marcus Coco having been sent off. There was also a first start for Jean-Philippe Gbamin, back in Ligue 1 McDonald’s eight years after having left RC Lens.

The visitors had the first big chance of the match, with Moses Simon breaking up the left flank before being denied by Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri at a tight angle. Chastened, it wouldn’t take Les Gones long to respond, though. After Nantes failed to clear a corner, Saïd Benrahama stood the ball up for Tagliafico, who finished from close range to put his side ahead. Urged on by the opener, Lyon continued to control the match, with Rayan Cherki and Malick Fofana both impressing, the latter hitting the post just before the break.

Lyon finishes a perfect week with a win against Nantes ✅🦁 pic.twitter.com/lpEjgcmBVj

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 6, 2024

Lyon’s pressure tells

The second half was more of the same from the hosts, with their young attackers driving play. In the Nantes goal, Alban Lafont did well to keep out efforts from Benrahma and Corentin Tolisso, but he could do nothing ten minutes into the half, when Les Canaris again struggled to clear a corner and Duje Ćaleta-Car’s effort was deflected in by Pallois. Lyon would have more chances from there, with Ernest Nuamah hitting the post, and Perri would be called into action again to keep out Mostafa Mohamed, but the result was rarely in doubt.

Lyon will return to league action against Le Havre after the break, hoping to push into the European places, while Nantes, now winless in four, next host OGC Nice as they hope to get back to winning ways following what had been a strong start to the season.

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