On January 30, 2025, the UEFA Europa League Group Stage concluded with thrilling final matches, determining which teams would advance to the knockout stages. Olympique Lyonnais achieved its goal of qualifying directly for the Round of 16, finishing 6th with 15 points, whereas OGC Nice's struggles continued, ending up 35th with only 3 points.
Lyon faced Ludogorets Razgrad at the Groupama Stadium, and even though they couldn't clinch victory, the 1-1 draw was enough to secure their advancement. The match began with Lyon under pressure, conceding several attempts from their opponents during the first half without registering any shots themselves. But as the game wore on, Rayan Cherki lifted the standards for Lyon, creating several scoring opportunities, though Ludogorets' goalkeeper Sergio Padt stood tall, thwarting mid-90s efforts from Cherki and other attackers.
Finally, the breakthrough came from Lyon's Georges Mikautadze, who seized on careless defending from Ludogorets to set up Corentin Tolisso, who found the back of the net with ease, putting Lyon momentarily on course to close the stage on high.
Yet, Ludogorets responded with determination, equalizing through Dinis Almeida's well-placed header following a cross, leaving Lyon just tasting the bitter edge of disappointment yet again.
After the conclusion of the match, the disappointment among the Lyon players was palpable, especially considering this was their fourth consecutive draw. Tolisso remarked, "We wanted to finish firmly within the top eight, and we accomplished it, but we need to keep working to improve." His words encapsulated the mixed feelings among supporters, who had hoped to see their team return to winning ways before their key fixture against Marseille.
Meanwhile, Nice faced Bodo/Glimt as they aimed to avoid the embarrassment of finishing last. They too settled for a draw, but it wasn’t sufficient to lift them from their position. Player Bouannani stated, "Our goal was to save face but we didn't achieve victory, which is disappointing." Their lack consistent form reflected the challenges this season, as this match was merely another chapter of missed opportunities.
The evening's events also saw other European heavyweights competing vigorously, with several teams fighting for the same aspirations as Lyon. The knockout stage draw will take place on Friday, February 2, and will define what paths these teams must navigate going forward.
The UEFA Europa League knockout looms large now, where 24 teams will collide for European glory, but the performance of Lyon will certainly leave viewers eager to see if they can regain the momentum needed to make serious strides against opponents like the Union Saint-Gilloise, PAOK, Steaua Bucharest, or Ajax.
With remarkable experiences behind them and tough challenges ahead, the stakes only intensify as the 2024-2025 season progresses. Fans will be holding their breath hoping Lyon can overcome their recent woes and return to the winning side against Marseille, setting the tone right before embarking on their knockout phase adventure.