Lyon's Olympique Lyonnais pulled off a dramatic last-minute victory against Montpellier HSC at the Groupama Stadium on January 4, 2025, ensuring their hopes of climbing the Ligue 1 standings remain alive. The match, marked by Montpellier's dominant performance, ended with Khalil Fayad's unfortunate own goal, sealing the outcome at 1-0 for the home side.
From the outset, it appeared Montpellier, languishing at the bottom of the league, was on course to secure at least one point, if not all three. The Héraultais, under the management of Jean-Louis Gasset, displayed prowess and creativity throughout the match. They created several significant chances early on, with their efforts showcasing offensive strength against Lyon's defense.
Early attempts included powerful shots from Téji Savanier and Jordan Ferri, the latter of whom hit the crossbar within the first few minutes. Lyon’s goalkeeper, Lucas Perri, faced multiple tests but managed to keep his net clean, showcasing impressive reflexes against attempts from Mousa Al Ta'mari and Wahbi Khazri.
Despite the absence of effective finishing from Montpellier, who had failed to score away from home all season, Lyon struggled to make their presence felt. The match seemed destined for the dreaded draw until the very last moments of play.
It was then, during the 91st minute, when the tide unexpectedly turned. Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette sent a cross from the right, aimed toward Corentin Tolisso. A scramble ensued as Benjamin Lecomte, Montpellier's keeper, attempted to clear the threat, which inadvertently fell to the feet of the unfortunate Fayad. Despite his best efforts, the young defender inadvertently guided the ball past Lecomte and directly onto the net, gifting Lyon the victory.
After the match, Jordan Veretout expressed his team's sentiments, stating, "This is not the image of our team. We'll only retain the three points, but we need to work harder moving forward." Despite the triumph, there was no masking the sense of unearned fortune; Lyon had not produced enough play to justify the win, as indicated by the struggles of their attacking players, including Ryan Cherki, who failed to capitalize on opportunities.
Conversely, Gasset lamented his team's fate, emphasizing their performance warranted at least one point. "We did everything right tonight and should have at least taken one point. It's hard to come back to Montpellier empty-handed after this performance," he noted. His disappointment was palpable as he reflected on the missed opportunities and close calls, remarking on the need for greater effectiveness heading forward.
The defeat left Montpellier occupying the last position on the league table, struggling with just nine points and facing significant pressure as relegation looms closer. Interestingly, Gasset’s side demonstrated quality play and vigor throughout the match, but poor finishing continues to plague their season.
Lyon, on the other hand, celebrated the win, which allowed them to leapfrog Lille, returning to contention for European spots, now sitting fifth with 28 points. The result highlighted the precarious nature of football – how often the balance shifts dramatically within mere seconds. The match's conclusion showcased Lyon's resilience and determination to fight for the Champions League positions.
Though the victorious Gones secured three valuable points, they must reconsider their on-pitch execution and effectiveness. Lacazette, as captain, recognized the underperformance, stating, "Lyon did not deserve to win," a rare moment of humility and honesty, indicating the team was aware of their shortcomings.
Looking to the future, both Lyon and Montpellier will need to adjust as they continue through the season. For Lyon, there is hope to build from this win, polishing their approach heading forward. Meanwhile, Gasset's Montpellier must rediscover their scoring touch if they hope to rise from the bottom of the table and avoid relegation.