Burak Yilmaz was the star of the show as Lille came back from two goals down to beat Olympique Lyon 3-2 at the Groupama Stadium in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
After a bright start to the game, Olympique Lyon took the lead just twenty minutes in as Islam Slimani fired the ball into the top right corner after being found by Maxence Caqueret. Lille started to grow into the game with Renato Sanches and Jonathan David having shots blocked but an own goal from Jose Fonte in the 35th minute set them further back and put Lyon in the driving seat.
However, Burak Yilmaz pulled one back for the visitors, scoring from a free-kick right on the cusp of half-time. Les Dogues looked much better after the break and kept on the pressure on Lyon, before finally finding the equaliser at the hour mark through Jonathan David, who could have made it 3-2 ten minutes later but his shot was saved.
Zeki Celik then had a shot blocked after some fine work by Luiz Araujo while the Brazilian himself and Jonathan Bamba fired over from promising positions soon after. The pressure finally paid off as Yilmaz produced a fine run before dinking the ball over Anthony Lopes to make it 3-2 in the 85th minute and complete the turnaround.
The result means Christophe Galtier’s men move back to the top of the Ligue 1 table while Lyon remain fourth and face a battle to pip AS Monaco to the third spot in the standings. Here are our player ratings for both teams.
Olympique Lyon
Anthony Lopes: 5/10
Not a lot he could have done about any of the goals scored by Lille on the night. Did make a good stop to deny David at 2-2 but proved to be in vain. Although, was a bit indecisive and delayed charging out for the winner.
Leo Dubois: 6/10
Recovered from injury and back into the side, Dubois played a part in both of Lyon’s goals, first linking up with Maxence Caqueret in the buildup to the opener and then hitting in the cross leading to the second. Defensively wasn’t tested much in the first half. Stretched after the break and grew visibly tired. Subbed off.
Marcelo: 3/10
Not good enough from the Brazilian, apart from a good block he made to deny Celik a certain goal in the second half. Allowed Yilmaz to get past him in the lead-up to the second goal and was not tight enough as well as played him on for the third. Also lucky to get away with a handball decision in the second half. Needs to step up.
A massive moment in the Ligue 1 title race ?
Burak Yılmaz strikes again to score the winning goal for Lille and send them top of the table! ?
What a comeback from 2-0 down ? pic.twitter.com/65AsCtIDS8
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 25, 2021
Mattia De Sciglio: 5.5/10
The versatile Italian star started as the left-sided centre-back on Sunday night and while he did not bring the composed presence of Jason Denayer, fared better than his partner. Positioned himself well to cut out attacks but was still a part of the defence that shipped in three goals and might have done better for the second. Ended the game at right-back.
Melvin Bard: 5/10
Preferred over Maxwel Cornet at left-back, the 20-year-old was in for a rough night. Put under pressure by the visitors he had his back against the wall for most parts while his passing also left a lot to be desired at times. Did make a game-high three interceptions, along with three clearances though. Will see better days.
Thiago Mendes: 4/10
Gave away the free-kick from which Yilmaz scored to kickstart the comeback. Was guilty of leaving way too much space in the middle of the park after the half-time break which allowed Lille to dominate.
Maxence Caqueret: 7.5/10
Maxence Caqueret is an superb talent, technically gifted with a high IQ and an amazing work-rate ? pic.twitter.com/HKrG2vLXsw
— George (@georgedavis_0) April 25, 2021
One of the few positives for Lyon on the night, the midfielder ran himself into the ground as he pushed forward, tracked back, broke up attacks in the centre. Solid on the ball, Caqueret completed 84% of his passes, got the assist for Slimani’s goal while he also made two interceptions, a tackle along with a match-high five dribbles. A bright prospect, this 21-year-old.
Karl Toko Ekambi: 4/10
Poor. The former Villarreal man offered very little in terms of attacking threat for Lyon on the night as he seemed to lack the energy and intent. Did make one key pass but largely disappointing with his end product.
Lucas Paqueta: 4/10
Gave the ball away leading to the all-important equalising goal in the second half. When in possession, the Brazilian did not offer the quality that was needed to create openings either.
Memphis Depay: 6/10
The Lyon captain wasn’t as effective as he would have liked to be but still posed some threat when cutting in from the left. Created three chances on the night, including one for Slimani just before the first goal was scored. Did not have a go at goal himself though and faded as the game wore on.
Islam Slimani: 6.5/10
"That is a goal of quality!" ?
Lovely stuff from Islam Slimani who fires it into the roof of the net for Lyon ? pic.twitter.com/bMLD6xSap1
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 25, 2021
Missed a fine chance created by Depay but made amends soon after to open the scoring for Lyon with a well-hit strike. Offered a strong presence at the top which unsettled the Lille defence at times while he won his fair share of aerial battles as well.
SUBSTITUTES
Bruno Guimaraes: 5/10
Replaced Lucas Paqueta in the 64th minute. Saw quite a bit of the ball after coming on but wasn’t able to make the most of it. Left way too much space open in the latter stages of the game which Lille made the most of.
Maxwel Cornet: 5/10
On for Slimani in the 73rd minute. Had just eight touches. A headed attempt was blocked.
Tino Kadewere: 5/10
Made his return from injury replacing Toko Ekambi with less than twenty minutes left. Ran the channels, but little came off for him.
Djamel Benlamri: N/A
On for Dubois in the 79th minute and slotted in at centre-back with De Sciglio moving to right-back. Lost to Yusuf Yazici in the air, leading to the winning goal for Lille.
Houssem Aouar: N/A
On for Caqueret with a little over ten minutes left. Did not much of an impact.
Lille
Mike Maignan: 5/10
Mike Maignan ?? has done his first error leading to a goal in Ligue 1 since 5 May 2019 (also against Lyon). [opta] #OLLOSC pic.twitter.com/5yOjyMm9SZ
— RouteOneFootball (@Route1futbol) April 25, 2021
At fault for Lyon’s second goal as his lack of communication with his defenders ended up costing the team. Had no chance with Slimani’s first goal though. Stopped Mendes from scoring in the second half.
Zeki Celik: 5/10
Was pinned back in his own half in the first period as Depay caused him problems. Had much more freedom to get forward after the break with Lille dominating. Got into good positions but the end product wasn’t there. Had a shot blocked.
Jose Fonte: 5/10
A forgettable outing for the veteran Portuguese defender who ended up putting the ball into his own net in the first half to double Lyon’s advantage, although it was Maignan’s fault for not collecting the ball. Did improve after the break and sprayed some nice passes forward. Finished with six clearances.
Sven Botman: 5/10
Part of the mix-up with Maignan that led to the second goal for Lyon, the Dutchman recovered well from that moment and defended stoutly, making a game-high eight clearances. It was his long ball that Yusuf Yazici flicked on for Yilmaz leading to the winning goal.
Domagoj Bradaric: 3/10
Preferred over Reinildo Mandava, the 21-year-old was all over the place in the first half as he lost out to Caqueret in the buildup to Slimani’s goal and constantly came up second-best in duels. Hardly offered anything offensively. Hooked off at half-time.
Jonathan Ikone: 5/10
An average display from the 22-year-old Frenchman, who was quite subdued going forward as he failed to offer a goal threat or create a chance of note. Worked hard off the ball though, before eventually making way for Luiz Araujo who was much brighter.
Benjamin Andre: 6/10
Not at blame for either of Lyon’s goals, the midfielder was usually seen chipping in with vital interventions to snuff out threat constantly. Made two interceptions, won three aerial duels and made a tackle and interception each. Composed on the ball, his long passes caused problems to the hosts.
Boubakary Soumare: 6.5/10
Boubakary Soumare was unreal for Lille tonight against Lyon, especially in the second half.
The French market is *there* for the taking in the summer ? pic.twitter.com/vvn12lE7f6
— Pain In The Arsenal (@PainInThArsenal) April 25, 2021
Did not enjoy the best of the first half, especially defensively but grew into the game with time and was precise and progressive with his distribution. Much like Andre, his long balls into spaces led to issues for the home team while he also managed to make a couple of vital interceptions.
Renato Sanches: 6/10
Slotted in on the left flank on the night, Soumare fared better than Ikone on the opposite wing. Looked sharp, completing each of his three dribble attempts and played in some incisive forward passes, creating two chances for his team. Taken off just when he was starting to get more and more involved in the second half.
Jonathan David: 6.5/10
Worked hard at the top and kept buzzing with his pace and movement posing a threat even though he couldn’t get involved much in the first half. Continued the same after the break and got the equalising goal in the 60th minute. Had two great chances to add to that not long after but saw one shot saved and wasted the other opportunity.
Burak Yilmaz: 10/10
⚠️ | QUICK STAT
Burak Yılmaz has tonight been involved in all 3 goals for Lille OSC (2 ⚽️ & 1 ?️) – the first time he's recorded 3 goal involvements in one match since his arrival to Lille last summer.
The man behind the comeback! ?#OLLOSC pic.twitter.com/7kEL3pKBfW
— SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) April 25, 2021
The old Dogue still has got plenty of tricks as Yilmaz, at 35, continued to show how integral he is to this Lille side. Kickstarted the comeback with the goal in the first half then got the assist for the second goal before rounding off the win with a well-taken strike late in the game. Created plenty of chances in between that as well, finishing with a match-high four key passes. Top-class.
SUBSTITUTES
Reinildo Mandava: 6.5/10
Half-time substitute for Bradaric. Provided an outlet on the left and made one key pass. Responsible at the back, as he produced three tackles, two clearances and an interception.
Jonathan Bamba: 6/10
On for Andre soon after the second goal. Completed one dribble and key pass each. Should have found the back of the net when the ball fell to him just a few yards out but fired over.
Luiz Araujo: 6.5/10
Replaced Ikone in the 73rd minute. Bright cameo. Showed some neat footwork to set Celik up for a chance and fired one over himself soon after. Displayed some slick skills.
Xeka: 6/10
Came on for Sanches in the 73rd minute. Kept things ticking along nicely, completing 90% of his passes while playing a key pass.
Yusuf Yazici: N/A
Sent on in place of David for the final ten minutes. Did brilliantly to flick the ball into space with his head for Yilmaz to run onto and score the winner.
