PLAYER RATINGS | Lyon 4-0 FCSB: Les Gones dismantle Romanian champions to qualify for the quarter-finals

UEFA Europa League, Round of 16 2nd Leg, 13/03/2025

After securing a 2-goal advantage, thanks to Malick Fofana, in the Romanian capital, Lyon welcomed FCSB to the Groupama Stadium hoping to secure safe passage to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. OL were triumphant on the night thanks two goals a piece from Ernest Nuamah and Georges Mikautadze.

The Match

Les Gones drew first blood in the match thanks to some excellent play from Georges Mikautadze as he drifted into space after some great footwork to drive a low finish beyond the FCSB stopper. Rayan Cherki did well to find the Georgian international in an advanced position.

In a similar fashion to his goal against Nice, Ernest Nuamah went agonisngly close to doubling OL’s lead as his curled effort from distance hit the post before falling back to him fortuitiously for the rebound. However, with the goal at his mercy, the Ghanaian international was unable to steer his first-time effort on target. He wouldn’t have to wait long for another opportunity though.

Following quick passing involving Mikautadze and Cherki, Nuamah was able to muscle Radunović off the ball and apply a smart finish beyond Zima in the vistors’ goal to double Lyon’s lead. Three chances arrived almost instantaneously for the hosts before the break but neither Mikautadze, Veretout or Nuamah could capitalise to give their side an unasailable lead at half-time.

Thanks to dazzling footwork from Cherki, Les Gones had soon extended their lead to three goals on the night. The French playmaker danced past two players before playing a square pass to Mikautadze to fire home for his second goal of the match.

Nuamah rounded up a resounding victory for the hosts, with his second and Lyon’s fourth goal of the night. Mikautadze, involved again, managed to find the attacker unmarked at the back post for a simple finish to extend OL’s lead to 7-1 on aggregate.

Lyon player ratings:

Lucas Perri – 5

Abner Vinicius – 5

Moussa Niakhaté – 6

Replaced by Duje Ćaleta-Car (45‘) – 5

Clinton Mata – 6

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6

Tanner Tessmann – 6

Jordan Veretout – 6

Ernest Nuamah – 8

Impressive in the final third again, the Ghanaian international was a dangerous figure throughout the night and was rewarded for his threat with two goals on the night. His pace and ability to run at defenders proved to be a firestarter in launching attacks.

Corentin Tolisso – 7

Rayan Cherki – 9

Central to all of Lyon’s attacking play, the French playmaker was at his creative best for Les Gones once again. Creating the opening for the second goal and laying on the assists for both of Mikautadze’s strikes, Cherki became the first player ever to register 8 assists in a single season in the UEFA Europa League.

Georges Mikautadze – 9

The Georgian international proved decisvie on the night for the Ligue 1 club, playing a hand in every goal his side scored against the Romanian champions. Scoring 2 goals and registering a further two assists, Mikautadze was pivotal in attack and showed a decisive edge in the final third.

GFFN | Liam Wraith

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