Lyon's position falters, and Paulo Fonseca perceives a growing distance from European competition.
Cursed Luck for Lyon as They Slip Up Against Lens
In a nail-biting encounter at home, Olympique Lyon took a hard blow in their mission for a European spot in Ligue 1 on Sunday. The final scoreboard read a disappointing 1-2 in favor of Lens, making things a bit more complicated for Paulo Fonseca's squad.
Koyalipou struck first for the visiting team, scoring at the 21st minute, leaving Lyon struggling to catch up. Finally, at the 79th minute, Olympique Lyon managed to grab an equalizer, courtesy of Mikautadze. But their joy was short-lived as Zaroury quickly restored Lens' lead, effectively sealing Lyon's fate.
Following this defeat, Lyon holds onto the 7th spot in the league table with 54 points, but might see Lille pull away this round with their 56 points. Meanwhile, Lens sits in 8th position with 48 points, eager to make a push for European spots.
On a brighter note, Lyon had recently 'run over' Rennes, coming close to the podium. But this latest setback is definitely a setback in their quest for Champions League qualification.
[1] Ligue 1 Table - May 4, 2025[3] Olympique Lyonnais Team Standings[4] RC Lens Team Standings
Sources: Ligue 1 Official Website, Olympique Lyonnais Official Website, RC Lens Official Website
[1] Despite running over Rennes in their previous match, Olympique Lyon's European-leagues quest took a disappointing turn with their 1-2 loss against RC Lens.[2] This defeat leaves Lyon in the 7th spot on the Ligue 1 Table, trailing behind Lille who now hold 56 points.[3] Meanwhile, Zaroury's late goal for Lens effectively sealed Lyon's fate, potentially sealing their place in the European-leagues for next season.[4] On the other hand, Lens remain eager, sitting in the 8th position with 48 points, and will aim to surpass Lyon to secure a European spot.
