Olympique Lyonnais remained trapped in their recent woes as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Fenerbahce on January 23, 2023. The match, part of the Europa League group stage, took place at Fenerbahce's home stadium in Istanbul and left Lyon feeling they could have secured more.
The draw marked OL's fourth consecutive match without victory, coming off the back of two losses and two draws across all competitions. Despite the struggles, the match offered them the opportunity to collect a valuable point as they continue their quest for qualification to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Under the management of Pierre Sage, OL entered the game seeking to improve their standings, eyeing direct qualification for the next round. They had earlier faced challenges, including a disappointing exit from the Coupe de France and poor performances since mid-December. Nonetheless, the team showed promise during the match, particularly after halftime, dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities.
The first half was marked by missed chances, including impressive efforts from Tolisso and Mikautadze, but Fenerbahce’s goalkeeper managed to keep the Lyonnais at bay. Tolisso's shot early on showcased OL's attacking intent, and Mikautadze's acrobatics nearly turned the tide, but the score remained deadlocked.
Things took another turn when Lyon lost Malick Fofana to injury just before halftime, forcing Sage to introduce captain Alexandre Lacazette. Although this shift was intended to bolster OL's attack, Fenerbahce's defense remained resolute and tough to break down. Lacazette himself acknowledged the challenge afterward, admitting, "Pas facile" (Not easy), during his post-match interview with Canal+.
With the second half underway, OL's performance improved significantly. They began to assert more control over the match and came close with several attempts, including a free kick from Benrahma and powerful shots from Cherki and Lacazette. Yet, each time, Fenerbahce’s goalkeeper was able to thwart their efforts.
After the match, Lacazette expressed the team’s disappointment, stating, "It was not the result we wanted. We could have done more to secure the win, especially with the chances we created. But it’s also important not to lose, and this draw can serve as motivation to do even more moving forward." He added, "It's important for us to stick together and work hard to improve our level."
Coach Sage remained upbeat about the team's efforts, stating, "We delivered a good performance tonight; we really played as a team against a very intense opponent. Even though we didn't take all three points, there are positives we can build on going forward. I hope this match can trigger our turnaround and mark the start of our winning streak."
Looking forward, OL currently sits third provisionally within their group and will prepare to face Ludogorets at home next week, where they will aim to solidify their place for the knockout stages with much-needed three points.
While various clubs are qualifying for the next round, OL’s future remains uncertain. Speculation surrounds Sage's position, reflecting the pressure he faces from club leadership to improve results as they navigate this challenging group phase. The uncertainty seems palpable, as recent reports suggest the club has reached out to Paulo Fonseca as a potential replacement if fortunes do not change.
The stage is set, and the coming matches promise to be pivotal for OL as they seek to salvage their European hopes and regain their form.