Lyon travelled to face French fifth-tier side CA Pontarlier in their first round of participation in the Coupe de France on Sunday lunchtime. Les Gones are down to a threadbare squad with key players like Ernest Nuamah leaving to participate in AFCON. OL only named seven substitutes for the match.
The first half was rather open despite the disparity in league standing and overall quality between the two clubs. Lyon huffed and puffed in front of goal for the majority of the first half struggling to fashion any clear-cut chances against the fifth-division club despite having the majority of possession.
Rayan Cherki thought he gave Lyon the lead in the 41st minute with a sweetly hit volley after some good work from Chelsea loanee Diego Moreira. However, Lacazette was adjudged to be offside and within the Pontarlier keeper’s line of sight as Cherki hit his shot.
Cherki would not be denied the second time, however. The France U21 international did brilliantly once again to escape into space beyond the Pontarlier defence and calmly slot the ball beyond the keeper to give OL a lead going into halftime. Lyon took a while to get going but found joy at the end of the first half as they went into halftime with a one-goal lead.
In the early stages of the second half, Lyon took command of the game with Ainsley Maitland-Niles scoring his first goal for the club. The former Arsenal man met Kumbedi’s cross to the far post with relative ease and lashed an effort home from close range to double Les Gones’ lead.
It was soon three goals for Les Gones as Lacazette joined the party in the 56th minute. The former France international connected with Moreira’s cross to easily head home while unmarked in the Pontarlier box. Lyon’s command and superior quality finally started to show.
The Lyon captain’s goal would cap off a commanding performance for Sage’s team as they advanced into the next round of the Coupe de France.
Lyon player ratings:
Anthony Lopes – 6
Saël Kumbedi – 6
Jake O’Brien – 6
Duje Ćaleta-Car – 6
Nicolás Tagliafico – 6
Maxence Caqueret – 6
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7, The former Arsenal midfielder looked much more comfortable with an advanced freedom which isn’t often afforded to him in Ligue 1. It was a successful afternoon for Maitland-Niles as he registered his first goal for the club.
Corentin Tolisso – 5
Rayan Cherki – 7, Routinely involved in every Lyon attack, Cherki had a field day once again in the Coupe de France. The France U21 international added pace and unpredictability to OL’s attacking play. He also showed a clinical edge in front of goal which he is often criticised for.
Alexandre Lacazette – 7
Diego Moreira – 7, The Chelsea loanee looked a constant threat on the wing and created several chances with crosses from wide areas. This was shown with his impressive vision and technique to pick out Lacazette unmarked for Lyon’s third goal of the afternoon.
GFFN | Liam Wraith
