Stade de Reims come out as convincing winners against a struggling Lyon side at the Stade Auguste-Delaune to kick off Sunday's Ligue 1 Uber Eats action. Two flying headers from Will Still's side were enough to see the Rémois temporarily move to second place, whilst Les Gones continue their winless run rock bottom of the league despite a change of manager.
Fabio Grosso's second match in charge of Olympique Lyonnais ended in the same result as his Ligue 1 Uber Eats debut as manager: a defeat on the road. Whilst the margin was narrow against Brest last Saturday (1-0), Lyon were convincingly beaten by a vibrant Stade de Reims side who temporarily moved up to second place in the league thanks to headers from Marshall Munetsi and captain Younis Abdelhamid.
Fabio Grosso gave a debut to Irish defender Jake O'Brien, switching to a 3-4-1-2 after last week's rigid 4-1-4-. Lyon had their chances in the first half through Skelly Alvero, Sinaly Diomandé, and Rayan Cherki - but failed to convert when it mattered. Reims pressed throughout, with the Japanese connection flourishing between Junya Ito and Keito Nakamura. It was the former who was vital in opening the scoring for Les Rouges, after his fizzed cross was met by a diving Marshell Munetsi to give Reims the lead just before half-time (45+1').
It was a deserved goal for Will Still's side, and one that Les Gones struggled to react to in the second half. Grosso waited until the 53rd minute to ring several changes, with Ernest Nuamah and Johann Lepenant quickly replacing Cherki and Corentin Tolisso. Maxence Caqueret's shot from inside the box wasn't enough to beat Diouf, as Reims defended well their slender advantage.
It was an advantage that was soon to be doubled. Teddy Teuma stole the ball off Lepenant on the right wing, before whipping a cross towards the front post towards Ito. A quick reaction from Lopes saw the Japanese international's header parried away - but only into the path of Reims captain Younis Abdelhamid who confidently headed in the rebound (70').
It was a goal that saw Reims more comfortable in their lead, which they saw out with relative ease in the closing stages of the match. The final whistle saw some joyous reactions from Reims' players in front of their home fans, as they temporarily secured second spot. Meanwhile, Lyon's fans jeered their own side, as Les Gones and Fabio Grosso still look for their first win of the season.
THE PLAYER - Marshall Munetsi
The Zimbabwean's opener just before half-time lit the touch-paper for Reims' positive showing in the second. Whilst showing the same clinical touch in front goal as last season, he was also vital in Will Still's build-up play with 37 passes to his name alongside his acrobatic diving header.
THE STAT - 2
Lyon have earned a total of two points after seven matches in Ligue 1 Uber Eats this season. They have also scored only three goals in their first seven matches - their worst points haul and scoring record in their top-flight history at this stage of the season.
>>Grosso urges patience as Brest go top with Lyon win
