Olympique Lyonnais delivered a stunning performance on March 13, 2025, thrashing FCSB 4-0 at the Groupama Stadium to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. After taking command of the tie with a 3-1 victory in the first leg, Lyon's emphatic win not only showcased their attacking prowess but also illustrated their potential to contend for the title.
Paulo Fonseca's side entered the match with considerable confidence, needing to preserve their advantage from the prior week. With the team enjoying recent success, having won five of their last seven matches, fans were hopeful for another strong performance. The match began with Lyon showcasing their offensive intent immediately, pushing FCSB onto the back foot.
Les Gones broke the deadlock early, taking the lead when Georges Mikautadze, after deft footwork, found space to strike low from inside the area, sending the ball past FCSB's goalkeeper Lukas Zima. Rayan Cherki’s vision and creativity enabled this opening, allowing Mikautadze to capitalize. The Romanian side struggled to respond, as any attack they mounted was consistently thwarted by Lyon's solid defense.
Not long after, Ernest Nuamah nearly doubled the lead, only to find himself momentarily frustrated as his curling shot hit the post. Thankfully, fortune smiled upon him when the ball rebounded right back, and he swiftly finished the opportunity to make the score 2-0, driving the nail even firmer with Lyon now having an aggregate of 6-1.
Rather than ease off, Lyon continued to press, with Mikautadze turning devastatingly influential. Right after the half-time break, Cherki, impossibly agile, danced past defenders and delivered another precision assist, allowing Mikautadze to score his second of the match. Lyon's momentum only intensified as they smelled blood.
Nuamah capped off the scoring for Lyon, completing his brace by volleying home from Mikautadze’s cross around the 88-minute mark. His contribution, as well as Mikautadze’s two goals and two assists, left little doubt as to who the standout players were. Consequently, Rayan Cherki was rightfully named Flashscore Man of the Match for his creative brilliance, achieving historic figures with eight assists this season alone—an unparalleled record within the UEFA Europa League.
Despite their consistent display all season, FCSB, the Romanian champions, looked outmatched and overwhelmed throughout the encounter. Their limited chances reflected their struggles, and the contest was reminiscent of the significant gulf between the two teams, which was not only evident on the scoreboard but also in the match's flow and rhythm.
Following this commanding victory, Lyon turned their focus to the next challenge: Manchester United awaits them in the quarter-finals, where they will need to carry forward this impressive form. Having scored at least two goals across all of their last eight matches, confidence is surging through the ranks of Lyon. With the team appearing rejuvenated under Fonseca, fans are rightfully excited to see how far they might go.
Overall, Lyon’s performance on March 13 symbolizes their aspirations of contending for the UEFA Europa League title. The emphatic 4-0 victory over FCSB showcases the attacking talents of the squad, particularly the interplay between Mikautadze and Nuamah, alongside the magical influence of Cherki. If they maintain this pace and momentum, the Ligue 1 outfit could potentially bring home significant silverware this season.