UEL: Lyon continue winning start to European campaign
Lyon continued their flawless start to their Europa League campaign, swatting aside Basel on Thursday night (2-0).
Lyon quick out of the blocks
Lyon have been defined by their defensive solidity in the opening weeks of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season. However, they had conceded five goals in their last two league games. They rediscovered that defensive discipline in what was a controlled Europa League performance against Swiss opposition.
Their first goal, which came in just the third minute, came thanks to some excellent out-of-possession work from OL. It was a high press which allowed Mathys De Carvalho to make the interception on the edge of the Basel box, and Corentin Tolisso, who picked up the pieces to slot home calmly. That is the former Bayern Munich man's third of the season in all competitions. He has adapted well to the extra attacking responsibilities placed on his shoulders so far this season.
There was a big chance for OL to double their advantage soon after, but played down the side, Martin Satriano went for goal himself from a tight angle rather than pulling back for Malick Fofana, who was in a better position to finish another flowing Lyon move.
OL were imperious in the first half, and their performance deserved more than just the one goal, however, through a mixture of subpar finishing and poor decision-making in the final third, Paulo Fonseca's side left themselves vulnerable.
Whilst Basel rarely threatened, they did have a glorious chance, which came through Léo Leroy, however, as he often has been in recent weeks, Dominik Greif was up to the task, making an instinctive save to retain Lyon's advantage.
Afonso Moreira then thought that he had doubled Lyon's advantage, giving his side breathing room, but having turned home a cross at the far post, the flag was raised and the celebrations at the Groupama Stadium cut short.
✅ 3 matches
✅ 3 wins
✅ 0 goals conceded
What a start to the #UEL season for Lyon! 🦁🤩 pic.twitter.com/iImTMQJZKm— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 23, 2025
But the Portuguese forward wasn't denied for long. As Basel pushed to get the equaliser, there were spaces for Les Gones to exploit, and they had the quality to do so. It was substitute Pavel Sulc with the ball that cut open the Swiss defence and substitute Moreira, denied just moments earlier, who opened his body to place the ball into the far corner.
It means that Lyon's perfect start to their Europa League campaign is intact. In three matches, they have three wins, five goals, and no goals conceded. Provisionally, they are joint top of the standings. It is a good reaction from OL, who, prior to this fixture, were on a run of two straight defeats in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
The stat: 31
Lyon have a formidable recent record in European football. In their last 31 home games in Europe, Les Gones have lost just three games. In that time, the Ligue 1 McDonald's side have won an impressive 16 games and drawn another 12.
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