Tetê scored two goals and set up another as Olympique Lyonnais eased to a 4-1 win over ESTAC Troyes at the Groupama Stadium on Friday evening.
Olympique Lyonnais 4-1 ESTAC Troyes
THE MATCH
Lyon were itching to get back into action after last weekend’s trip to FC Lorient was postponed, and Peter Bosz’s side took the lead inside three minutes here. The goal was a gift by Troyes skipper Adil Rami, whose blind attempt at a backpass was pounced upon by the alert Alexandre Lacazette. The former Arsenal man pounced to beat Gauthier Gallon in the away goal and give OL the perfect start.
Yet Troyes came back into the game and won a penalty when Nicolás Tagliafico chopped down former Paris Saint-Germain youngster Thierno Baldé inside the area. Florian Tardieu stepped up to score from the spot, despite Lyon goalkeeper Rémy Riou – standing in for the suspended Anthony Lopes – diving the right way (39’).
Having struggled to beat AC Ajaccio 2-1 on the opening night of the season a fortnight ago, Lyon would have gone in at half-time here with more than a few doubts. However, they effectively put the game to bed in a whirlwind start to the second half.
They retook the lead within a minute of the second half starting, as Tetê tried to go for goal from a Corentin Tolisso flighted ball to the back post. Instead the Brazilian’s attempt turned into the perfect assist for Argentine full-back Tagliafico, who made up in the best possible manner for giving away the earlier penalty. Soon after it was 3-1, as Tetê nodded home from practically on the line after Gallon parried a shot by Lucas Paquetá (49’).
Only a fine save prevented Karl Toko-Ekambi from adding another goal, but Lyon did score again in the 75th minute via a fine individual effort from Tetê, who skipped inside two Troyes defenders before beating Gallon with a low shot, all after fine play by substitute Maxence Caqueret to win the ball back.
Rayan Cherki also came off the bench late on and he saw a powerful strike come crashing back off the junction of bar and post in the 90th minute, as Lyon settled for just the four goals, as well as a second win in as many games this season.
THE PLAYER: Tetê
The Brazilian picked up where he left off against Ajaccio two weeks ago, when he scored one goal and then won a penalty that Lacazette converted. Two more goals and another assist here confirmed how important he is likely to be this season to Bosz’s side, despite all the focus having been on the returning duo of Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso.
THE STAT: 13
The penalty converted by Tardieu for Troyes in the first half was the 13th spot-kick awarded in Ligue 1 this season, in just 20 games.
