Lyon 3-2 Frankfurt player ratings as Rayan Cherki’s brilliance helped the French side secure full three points

Olympique Lyon defeated Frankfurt 3-2 in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday after Rayan Cherki gave a brilliant performance in the midfield. It was a hard-fought win for the French side to move a step towards automatic qualification. This was Frankfurt’s first loss in the Europa League as they were placed at fifth with four wins and a draw before this game.

In the first half, Lyon were by far the better side as they thoroughly dominated the game in attack but Frankfurt were not that bad to make most of the rare chances they got. Corentin Tolisso was unlucky to hit the woodwork early on in the game but the away side capitalised on a counter-attacking move to spring into the lead through Ansgar Knauff and a mistake from the Lyon defence. Around the 27th minute, Lyon equalised with the help of Cherki after Tolisso’s deflected shot fell for him. Ernest Nuamah also hit the woodwork for the hosts after he got past a couple of defenders.

The second half started brightly for the hosts as they scored two goals within 10 minutes after the game resumed. Mallick Fofana and Nuamah were on the scoresheet. Just when it seemed that the French side was going to have it easy Frankfurt pressed on to the gears as they put huge pressure but was of no profit. Omar Marmoush in the 85th minute pulled one back to give some hope for the away fans that they could salvage something from the game but it was not the case.

Let’s have a look at Lyon vs Frankfurt player ratings.

Lyon Player Ratings vs Frankfurt

Goalkeeper

Lucas Perri: 7.3/10- Ended up on the winning side but conceded two goals and saved three shots out of the five that were on target.

Defenders

Nicolas Tagliafico: 6.9/10- The Argentine left-back was substituted around the 80th minute after a decent game. He maintained a passing accuracy of 81 percent and was involved in 10 defensive actions. Was shown a yellow card after he fouled Marmoush.

Duje Caleta-Car: 6.6/10- The Croatian defender had a fair game maintaining a passing accuracy of 83 percent. He was involved in six defensive actions and made two key interceptions in the game.

Moussa Niakhate: 6.8/10- He capped a solid defensive display in front of the home crowd and helped the team create a chance. He was involved in seven defensive actions and made six recoveries for his team.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 8.1/10- The English right-back had a good game contributing to the attack as well as defence. He had two shots on goal and helped the team in creating two chances. He was also involved in 12 defensive actions and has won 10 duels for his team.

Midfielders

Rayan Cherki: 9.2/10- Had a brilliant game in the attacking front for Lyon. He equalised for his team after Tolisso’s deflected shot fell to him and he headed it past a helpless Trapp. He also assisted Fofana’s goal in the 50th minute and Enest Nuamah’s goal around the 54th minute.

Nemanja Matic: 7.1/10The Serbian midfielder anchored the game well with a passing accuracy of 86 percent. He was dispossessed just once and made seven recoveries for his side.

Corentin Tolisso: 8.1/10- Had a good game for his team. He collects the ball on the edge of the box and gets inside to aim the corner but it hits the woodwork. He assisted the goal by Rayan Cherki.

Attackers

Ernest Nuamah: 8.4/10- Had a great game on the left wing taking four shots on goal. He managed to keep a passing accuracy of 70 percent and had eight touches inside the penalty box. After receiving a pass on the right Nuamah cut inside on his left foot and hammered it into the top corner to score the third goal for Lyon.

Alexandre Lacazette: 7.0/10- The French striker had a decent game with four shots on goal. He maintained a passing accuracy of 76 percent and was a great presence in the opposition penalty box. Shown a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Collins.

Malick Fofana: 8.1/10- The 19-year-old Belgian winger was very effective on the right. He scored the second goal for his team after receiving Cherki’s ball and smashed it into the bottom corner. In total, he had two shots on goal and helped the team in creating three chances in attack.

Substitutes

Jordan Veretout: 6.2/10- He was brought on to replace Ernest Nuamah and did not have much of an impact in the game.

Said Benrahma: 6.2/10- Around the 73rd minute Rayan Cherki was subbed off to bring on Benrahma.

Tanner Tessmann: N/A.

Georges Mikautadze: N/A.

Abner: N/A.

Manager

Pierre Sage: 7/10- His team capped a complete performance leading to a hard-fought victory in front of their fans. He could have used his substitutions well to inject fresh legs.

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Frankfurt Player Ratings vs Lyon

Goalkeeper

Kevin Trapp: 5.1/10- The German goalkeeper did not have a great game behind the defence conceding three goals. He made only three saves out of the six shots that were on target.

Defenders

Arthur Theate: 4.9/10- Had a very poor game as his error led to conceding the first goal for his team. He was involved in eight defensive actions for his team.

Robin Koch: 6.5/10- Had a fair game in attack with a passing percentage of 81. He was involved in 10 defensive actions and made six recoveries for his team. He received a yellow card for his challenge on Lacazette.

Tuta: 6.1/10- Had a normal game with 77 per cent of passing accuracy. He helped the team in creating a chance in attack and was involved in five defensive actions.

Nnamdi Collins: 5.9/10- The German right-back did not have a great game in defence. He was shaky at times but was involved in 16 defensive actions.

Midfielders

Niels Nkounkou: 6.2/10- He was taken off just after the first half and was involved in nine defensive actions for his team. He was shown the first yellow card of the game after he brought down Nuamah on the right edge of the penalty area.

Mahmoud Dahoud: 7.0/10- Around the end of the game he helped the team to be in full control and created multiple opportunities for the side. He was involved in 10 defensive actions and made five recoveries.

Mario Gotze: 6.6/10- The German midfielder had a decent game maintaining a passing accuracy of 94 percent. He helped the side in attack and was involved in four defensive actions for his side.

Ansgar Knauff: 7.4/10- The German midfielder had a good game but managed only a passing accuracy of 63 per cent. He also helped the team by recovering eight balls. After a chipped cross from Hugo Ekitike, he was just waiting inside the penalty area just to finish it. He scored the first goal for his team.

Attackers

Fares Chaibi: 7.1/10- He had a fair game in attack with a shot on goal. He maintained a passing accuracy of 81 per cent and managed to win five duels in the game

Hugo Ekitike: 7./10- The French striker had a good game in attack. He controlled the ball well on the left and chipped it to an unmarked Knauff, who opened the scoring for his team. Was booked for dissent

Substitutes

Rasmus Kristensen: 6.2/10- He was brought on to replace Niels Nkounkou after the first half.

Ellyes Skhiri: 6.9/10- He was subbed on to replace Tuta in the defence.

Omar Marmoush: 7.6/10- He came on to replace Fares Chaibi and pulled one goal back for his side. He was sent clear by Can Uzun with only the keeper to beat and he calmly put it past Perri into the bottom corner at the far post.

Can Uzun: 7.1/10- He replaced Mario Gotze on the pitch around the 63rd minute and assisted the second goal for his side.

Jean Bahoya: N/A.

Manager

Dino Toppmoller: 5/10- His team did have a great start but was not able to hold on to it. His team played well in patches and was really bright around the end of the second half but was not able to salvage any points. He was shown a red card after receiving two yellow cards.

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