Lyon-Strasbourg: Benrahma already at home, the failures of Delaine and Perrin... the tops and the flops

TOPS

Arriving at the last minute at the end of the winter transfer window, Saïd Benrahma is still in his period of adaptation, but it seems that it is coming to an end. The Algerian winger survived in an uninspired attack, and created the majority of Lyon's actions, in a dull draw between OL and RCSA (0-0, 4-3 after T.A.B.). From the start, he adjusted his sights by trying several times with long shots. He also delivered a number of very dangerous crosses, if they had not been taken over by clumsy attackers, and worried the Strasbourg side with his dribbling. Returning from the locker room, he passed the second and came close to scoring. First on a curling shot towards the side net, then especially when he attempted a returning corner, which finally ended on the post. Saïd Benramha is already on the right track. His future at OL looks bright if he continues this way.

Against Brest (3-0) on the 23rd day of Ligue 1 this weekend, his team was asleep and took on water against the Bretons. Patrick Vieira demanded a reaction from his players, without response. So this Tuesday evening, the Racing coach innovated by renewing the 3-4-3 from the start of the season, and it worked. The three-man defense transformed into a line of five without the ball. Thanks to this device, the Alsatians contained the Lyon attackers well, in particular Nuamah, Lacazette, Orban, Fofana and Cherki (exception made for Benrahma).

FLOPS

The score at the end of regulation time, 0-0, speaks for itself. The first period, however, got off to a good start, with a few chances for Lyon, then nothing more. Both teams struggled to find the gaps in the opposing blocks. Strasbourg waited wisely in its area, and Les Gones failed to destabilize a compact Racing defense. The show was weak and the halftime was long. Returning from the locker room, still no goal, but more chances. Benrahma ignited the meeting in bursts, but the ineffectiveness remained the same. The 22 players on the pitch could have played for a long time but they certainly would not have scored.

Authors of a remarkable game in the Alsatian defense, the two backs stained their copy during the penalty shootout. However, they had done everything well for 90 minutes, but against the great Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri, they cracked. Delaine first: number 3 stepped forward first, opened his foot and bumped into Perri. Captain Lucas Perrin shot last, closing the session in the worst possible way in front of his near namesake. Faced with pressure from local supporters and the giant Lucas Perri (1.97m), he shot over, sealing his team's hopes of qualification. The penalties were cruel, and the two defenders paid the price.