Lyon Suffers Disappointing Defeat Against Besiktas in Europa League
Olympique Lyonnais faced a frustrating evening on October 24, 2024, as they suffered a 0-1 defeat to Turkish club Besiktas in the Europa League, marking their first loss of the season in the tournament. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Lyon was unable to convert their opportunities into goals, ultimately paying the price for their inefficiency in front of the net. The match was particularly disappointing for Lyon, who had previously secured victories against Olympiakos and Glasgow Rangers.
In the first half, Lyon appeared to have taken the lead when Alexandre Lacazette found the back of the net in the 24th minute, only for VAR to rule it out due to a narrow offside. The situation worsened for Lyon when a penalty awarded for a foul on Lacazette was also overturned. Lyon continued to press, with several players, including Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Saïd Benrahma, missing key opportunities. The turning point came in the 71st minute when Gedson Fernandes scored for Besiktas, punishing Lyon's lack of precision. Despite a late push, including a near miss from Wilfried Zaha, Lyon could not equalize, leaving them in a challenging position in the group stage.
Assessment of Lyon's New Recruits
As Lyon grapples with this defeat, attention turns to the performance of their summer signings, which have yet to make a significant impact. Among the seven new arrivals, notable names include Georges Mikautadze, Jordan Veretout, and Moussa Niakhaté, with mixed results so far. Coach Pierre Sage has expressed concerns over the readiness and performance levels of several players, particularly Wilfried Zaha, who has struggled to find his form since joining on loan from Galatasaray.
Mikautadze, despite being a prolific scorer at Metz last season, has yet to find the net in his first eight matches with Lyon, while Tanner Tessmann has also failed to establish himself in the squad. In contrast, Veretout has been a consistent presence in the midfield, contributing positively to the team's dynamics. The most expensive recruit, Niakhaté, has shown promise in defense after overcoming a shaky start, helping Lyon to solidify their backline in recent matches. As Lyon looks to bounce back from this defeat, the performance of these recruits will be crucial for their aspirations in both Ligue 1 and the Europa League.
