Last weekend, Lyon suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, with a scoreline of 4-1. However, all hope is not lost for Lyon to secure a spot in Europe via Ligue 1, even if they fail to beat PSG in the upcoming Coupe de France final next month. It is worth acknowledging the remarkable progress Lyon has made this season, considering their poor start. They currently sit just one point behind seventh place, which is the last European qualification spot if they end up losing the final.
Despite the setback against PSG, Lyon has been in good form lately, winning four out of their last six league games, with one draw and one loss. This string of positive results is a testament to their resilience and determination to secure a European spot. At home, Lyon has been particularly strong, losing only one of their last five Ligue 1 fixtures. However, they have conceded the first goal in two of their last three matches, which could be a cause for concern as they prepare to face Monaco.
History Favors Lyon in Head-to-Head Clashes
In their previous meetings, Lyon has had the upper hand against Monaco, especially when playing at the Groupama Stadium. Lyon has emerged victorious in their last five consecutive league matches against Monaco at home, and they will be looking to continue this trend. It is worth noting that even in last season’s corresponding fixture, Lyon conceded the first goal but managed to turn things around and secure a 3-1 victory.
However, this time around, Monaco seems to be in a strong position. They are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run in Ligue 1, with six wins and two draws. This impressive form has made them clear favorites to secure the runners-up spot and make a return to the UEFA Champions League group phase for the first time since the 2018/19 season. Their recent 1-0 victory over Lille further solidifies their position, and a win against Lyon would bring them one step closer to achieving this goal.
A Tough Challenge for Monaco on Lyon’s Home Turf
While Monaco has been performing well overall, their record in away matches against Lyon is less than stellar. They have only managed to win one out of their last eight league visits to Lyon, with the sole victory coming in 2017, featuring a goal from none other than Kylian Mbappé. However, it is important to note that Monaco has been successful on their travels recently, winning their last five away league games. Nevertheless, they haven’t achieved six consecutive away wins since February 2021.
Key Players to Watch
Nicolás Tagliafico, Lyon’s talented player, has shown his attacking prowess by scoring goals, with all four of his Ligue 1 strikes coming in the second half. Despite being dismissed in a recent match against Brest, Tagliafico remains a threat in the attacking third, especially after the halftime break. On the other hand, Youssouf Fofana, who scored the winning goal for Monaco against Lille, has a knack for scoring goals in the latter stages of matches. His last five league goals have all been scored on or beyond the 60th minute.
Hot Streak for Lyon at Home
One impressive statistic for Lyon is their perfect home league record when they score the first goal. In the current season, Lyon has won all five matches at home in which they have taken the lead. This indicates their ability to control the game and secure victories when they manage to get ahead.