On January 30, 2025, Olympique Lyonnais faced off against Ludogorets Razgrad at Groupama Stadium, hoping to secure their qualification for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League. Despite their recent struggles, Lyon managed to come away with a 1-1 draw - an outcome tinged with frustration as they failed to capitalize on their chances.
The match began amid high tension for Lyon, who were adjusting to the recent sacking of head coach Pierre Sage. Interim manager Jorge Maciel emphasized the influence of Sage on the team’s preparation, stating, "There will be a lot of Pierre in this match, as he’s the one who has been preparing the team for the season up to this point." This sentiment added another layer of intrigue to the match, with fans eager to see if the team could rise to the occasion.
Lyon kicked off with urgency. Rayan Cherki's skills were on full display early on when he nearly broke through the Bulgarian defense. Yet, it was Ludogorets who quickly created some discomfort for the French side with Rwan Cruz’s flick shot, missed narrowly against the post. Despite several attempts, Lyon would struggle to take the lead, failing to convert on multiple promising opportunities.
About ten minutes after the break, Lyon finally broke the deadlock. After gaining possession from Ludogorets' backline, Georgiy Mikautadze made the most of the defensive error. He dragged the goalkeeper, Sergio Padt, out of position and managed to assist Corentin Tolisso for the straightforward tap-in from close range. This moment sparked hopes within the Lyon camp of finally reversing their recent run of poor form.
Yet, their lead was short-lived. Dylan Almeida's brilliant attacking display saw him launch a counter from his own half. Tracking his run poorly, Lyon’s defense lost sight of him, letting Almeida receive the cross unmarked at the near post to equalize with just 13 minutes left on the clock.
Late drama unfolded as Lyon pressed for another goal. The moment of crisis came just before full time when Lucas Perri, Lyon’s goalkeeper, made an exceptional save to deny Ludogorets' forward Amadou Camara, preventing what could have been the decisive goal for the visitors.
By the final whistle, the mood was mixed. Lyon extended their run of matches without victory to six, leaving them to grapple with their inconsistency, even as their earlier performances ensured their place among the last 16 teams in the tournament.
This match showcased the absence of cohesion within Lyon's squad and highlighted the importance of creative influence, with Rayan Cherki displaying vision and skill during the game. Meanwhile, Ludogorets, though assured of their elimination, showed resilience and potential to challenge stronger opposition when necessary.
With this draw, both teams would reflect on their campaign: Lyon, relieved to advance but recognizing the urgent need for improvement; and Ludogorets, who could take some satisfaction from their competitive spirit, albeit without achieving the victory they sought.