Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) stole all three points against FCSB after securing a 3-1 victory in the first leg of their last-16 Europa League game in Bucharest a few days after head coach Paulo Fonseca was awarded a nine-month ban for misconduct.
Lyon did not start the week as an error committed by Moussa Niakhat gave David Miculescu an early opportunity, but the striker could not convert the opportunity into a goal.
Malcom Edjouma and Siyabonga Nguezana created great opportunities that were denied by opposition goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
Lyon took confidence again as the game commenced with a fine cross from Georges Mikautadze leading to a good header that opened the scoring on the half-hour mark.
Mikautadze stayed in the game as a threat; FCSB, through Alexandru Baluta, scored an equalizer against the run of play in the second half.
Malick Fofana, who came on as a substitute, scored the goal that put Lyon in the lead with five minutes left in the match with a great finish.
FCSB had the opportunity to score to make it a draw, but Lyon’s goalkeeper’s safety led to a quick counter that gave Fofana the opportunity to net the goal that sealed the win in stoppage time. Lyon now has a two-goal advantage as both teams prepare for their second leg. This win extends Lyon’s unbeaten record against FCSB.
