Olympique Lyonnais (OL) displayed impressive form on March 13, 2025, with a commanding 4-0 victory over FCSB (Steaua București) at the Groupama Stadium, ensuring their qualification for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. This victory builds on their previous triumph, as they had already earned a 3-1 win during the first leg held in Romania just one week prior.
The match began dynamically for Lyon, as they took control early on. Georges Mikautadze opened the scoreline with a brilliant individual effort, demonstrating his skill by dribbling past two defenders before unleashing an unstoppable shot at the near post. This occurred just 14 minutes after kick-off, setting the tone for the match.
Pressure from Lyon kept FCSB on the back foot, leading to the second goal scored by Ernest Nuamah. After hitting the post moments earlier, Nuamah capitalized on teamwork with Mikautadze and Rayan Cherki to find the net, doubling Lyon's advantage with 37 minutes played. Lyon comfortably went to halftime with a two-goal lead, showing no signs of distress against their Romanian opponents.
Reinforcing their dominance, the second half saw Mikautadze score again just two minutes after the break, assisted by Cherki, marking Mikautadze's second goal of the evening. Remarkably, this assist was Cherki's eighth of the tournament, setting a new record for the most assists contributed. Finally, Nuamah netted his second goal just before the final whistle, scoring with another assist from Mikautadze—closing the match at 4-0.
OL’s performance was characterized by efficient ball control, boasting 65% possession throughout the match and orchestrated plays, which left FCSB scrambling defensively. Despite the clear disparity, their opponents failed to pose any genuine threat, leading OL goalkeeper Lucas Perri to have a rather uneventful night, as he was only called upon sporadically.
With this victory, Lyon secured their place in the quarter-finals, where they are scheduled to face Manchester United, who advanced after defeating Real Sociedad 4-1 on aggregate. The first leg will take place at OL's home ground on April 10, with the return leg at Old Trafford on April 17.
While OL's current focus is on the Europa League, they remain committed to pushing for higher standings within Ligue 1. They have recently shown momentum domestically, having achieved two back-to-back victories and are set to play their next league match against Le Havre on March 16.
Entering the quarter-finals against Manchester United promises to be an intriguing clash, reminiscent of past encounters between the clubs during the Champions League era. Both teams have seen their challenges: Lyon aims to capitalize on their potent attack, led by Mikautadze and Nuamah, against United's inconsistent form as they struggle to recover from a lower league position.
By continuing their winning streak and improving their form, OL looks poised not only to advance through the UEFA Europa League but also to bolster their contention for European qualification next season. The upcoming matches present opportunities for the team to display their growth and ambition.