Big win at Groupama Stadium puts Paulo Fonseca’s team firmly in the fight for a Champions League spot. Malick Fofana, Tolisso, Lacazette, and Mikautadze shine on an inspired night.
A massive victory and a European dream more alive than ever
In a game of extreme importance for European ambitions, Lyon made light work of Rennes, winning 4-1 this Saturday (April 26), in the 31st round of Ligue 1. Dominant from start to finish, Paulo Fonseca’s team relied on brilliant performances from Malick Fofana, Corentin Tolisso, and Alexandre Lacazette to build the rout at Groupama Stadium.
With this result, Lyon moves even closer to the group fighting for the remaining two Champions League spots, in a thrilling battle as the competition nears its end.
| Position | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris Saint-Germain | 31 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 84 | 31 | +53 | 78 |
| 2 | Marseille | 31 | 18 | 4 | 9 | 66 | 43 | +23 | 58 |
| 3 | Lille | 31 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 49 | 32 | +17 | 56 |
| 4 | Monaco | 31 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 58 | 36 | +22 | 55 |
| 5 | Lyon | 31 | 16 | 6 | 9 | 62 | 42 | +20 | 54 |
| 6 | Nice | 31 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 54 | 36 | +18 | 54 |
| 7 | Strasbourg | 31 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 48 | 35 | +13 | 54 |
| 8 | Lens | 31 | 13 | 6 | 12 | 43 | 40 | +3 | 45 |
| 9 | Brest | 31 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 44 |
| 10 | Auxerre | 31 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 37 | 39 | -2 | 41 |
| 11 | Rennes | 31 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 38 | 45 | -7 | 38 |
| 12 | Toulouse | 31 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 35 | 44 | -9 | 35 |
| 13 | Reims | 31 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 34 | 42 | -8 | 33 |
| 14 | Nantes | 31 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 30 | 45 | -15 | 32 |
| 15 | Angers | 31 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 28 | 49 | -21 | 30 |
| 16 | Le Havre | 31 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 43 | -18 | 28 |
| 17 | Saint-Étienne | 31 | 7 | 6 | 18 | 34 | 71 | -37 | 27 |
| 18 | Montpellier | 31 | 4 | 4 | 23 | 22 | 71 | -49 | 16 |
Tactical analysis of the teams
Lyon: intensity and offensive intelligence
Paulo Fonseca stuck to his traditional 4-2-3-1, relying on Fofana’s speed and Lacazette’s experience. The defensive line, formed by Maitland-Niles, Niakhaté, Mata, and Tagliafico, showed solidity and great reading of the game. The midfield, with Tolisso and Matic as holding midfielders and Almada as playmaker, dominated the action, especially in the first half.
Lyon was aggressive when recovering the ball high up the pitch and showed patience in building attacks, alternating between quick wing plays and central penetrations. Special mention to the rapid transitions, which proved lethal against Rennes.
Rennes: defensive mistakes and trouble building from the back
Habib Beye opted for a 3-5-2 formation, which had been working well in recent rounds, but it collapsed under Lyon’s pressure. The three-man defense was vulnerable to through balls, and the midfield struggled to contain Almada’s creativity and the movements of Fofana and Cherki.
The Breton side also had serious issues in building out from the back, committing errors that led to goals and clear chances for the hosts. The only moment of reaction came early in the second half, taking advantage of an Almada mistake, but it wasn’t enough to change the overall picture.
| Statistic | Lyon | Rennes |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 1 |
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Total Shots | 14 | 10 |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 4 |
| Fouls Committed | 12 | 08 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Corners | 7 | 2 |
| Offsides | 7 | 2 |
| Pass Accuracy | 89% | 87% |
Individual highlights
- Malick Fofana: 1 goal, 4 successful dribbles, 2 key passes. Set the left wing on fire.
- Corentin Tolisso: 1 goal, 89% passing accuracy, midfield leader with 5 tackles.
- Alexandre Lacazette: 1 goal, 4 shots, 1 (unofficial) assist. Offensive leader and reference.
- Tiago Almada: Despite the mistake that led to Rennes’ goal, was crucial in the playmaking: 3 key passes and 1 assist.
- Lucas Perri: 3 important saves, especially in the second half, ensuring safety at the back.
Key moments and curiosities
- Spectacular goals: All of Lyon’s goals were of extremely high technical quality. Tolisso’s goal, in particular, was a masterpiece: a curled shot into the top corner, leaving Brice Samba with no chance.
- Vibrant crowd: Nearly 50,000 fans attended the Groupama Stadium, one of the highest crowds of the season.
- Fatal mistake: Thiago Almada, who had been playing an excellent match, made a naive error in the buildup that led to Rennes’ only goal.
- Mikautadze’s magic: The Georgian came off the bench and quickly scored a stunning turn-and-shot goal, showing great penalty box presence.
- Record: Lacazette reached his 15th goal of the season, equaling his tally from the previous campaign.
Next matches
- Lyon: Hosts Lens at Groupama Stadium on May 4. a match that could secure a direct Champions League spot.
- Rennes: Faces Toulouse away on May 3, seeking to bounce back in the table.
A performance that reignites the dream
Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon delivered a performance that was both dominant and inspiring. The team controlled all phases of the game and showed that the Ligue 1 finale will be electrifying, with at least six teams battling for two Champions League places.
Despite Almada’s individual mistake that cost a goal, the collective attitude was impeccable. Rennes, on the other hand, struggled to cope with the match’s intensity and couldn’t recover after the early blows.
If Lyon can replicate performances like this, they have every chance of crowning their rebuilding season with a triumphant return to the world’s most prestigious club competition.
