The Olympique Lyonnais secured a gripping and narrow 1-0 victory over Montpellier HSC on Saturday, marking their first match of 2025 with three much-needed points at the Groupama Stadium. The win against the league's bottom side came courtesy of an unfortunate own goal by Khalil Fayad deep in stoppage time, leaving Montpellier heartbroken as they battled valiantly throughout the encounter.
From the outset, Lyon sought to remedy their previous defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and maintain hopes of achieving European competition next season, whereas Montpellier desperately needed points to escape the relegation zone after their previous humiliations.
The first half started at a frenetic pace, with Montpellier's Jordan Ferri—once part of the Lyon squad—likely wishing for redemption. Within the first few minutes, Ferri unleashed a powerful shot from distance, rattling the woodwork and sending shivers down the spines of the home fans. Despite their concerns, Lyon failed to respond effectively to Montpellier’s pressing play, leading to few offensive actions from the home side, whose highlight was largely limited to attempts thwarted by the disciplined defense of the Hérault club.
Overall, Lyon registered nothing on target during the first half, with their only notable chance coming after Alexandre Lacazette failed to finalize his threatening positioning. Conversely, Montpellier was the more dangerous side, creating opportunities through players like Téji Savanier and Akor Adams, keeping the Lyon defense on high alert.
The second half brought little improvement for Lyon. Montpellier continued to apply pressure, and the tide nearly turned when Ferri found the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed following VAR review. The referee ruled there had been a foul earlier on Lyon's Malick Fofana, prompting frustration from the Montpellier benches.
Sensing the urgency, Lyon kicked up their efforts, though they still lacked cohesion. Their limited chances were clouded by missed opportunities and chaotic sequences; even some skilful work from the Lyon forwards failed to yield results.
With the clock winding down, Lyon displayed tenacity typical of teams aimed at reclaiming momentum. They pushed for the decisive goal, and just as it seemed the match would end scoreless, fortune turned against the visiting team. Lacazette, whose tireless performance through the match had been commendable, managed to create chaos inside the box on the right side, delivering a cross aimed for Tolisso. Fayad misjudged the deflection, inadvertently pushing the ball past 'keeper Benjamin Lecomte and sealing the match at 1-0 for Lyon.
Once the whistle blew, the scene turned dramatic. Lyon celebrated their fortune, even as they faced criticisms over their lackluster showing. Jordan Veretout, reflecting on the match, stated, "Ce soir on ne va retenir que la victoire. On n'a pas créé de jeu, on n'a rien démontré. Ce n'est pas l'image de l'équipe. On ne va retenir que les trois points." His sentiments echoed the feelings among supporters and analysts alike, where the win felt undeserved after the way Montpellier performed.
For Montpellier, the defeat marked yet another low. Coach Jean-Louis Gasset expressed his frustration, stating, "Ils ont gagné et ils disent que ce n'est pas mérité. Avec un point, on aurait été déçus." Despite the ultimate loss, there were encouraging signs for the Hérault team as they displayed resilience against one of the league's more significant names.
Following the match, Gasset continued to hold out hope for his team's survival chances, recognizing the need for improvement across their gameplay. Player Omeragic also shared his frustration, noting, "C'est frustrant ce soir. On se doit de faire mieux, je pense qu'on aurait pu le tuer le match ce soir." The coaches now face the challenge of lifting spirits as they prepare for their next match—another opportunity to attempt redeeming their unfortunate run of form.
This latest result keeps Lyon close to their ambitions as they look to climb the Ligue 1 table, now just two points behind Monaco, illustrating how even the most disappointing of performances can yield desired results when luck turns to favor. For Montpellier, the path to survival only grows more precarious as they remain anchored at the bottom of the league.