PLAYER RATINGS | Lyon 1-0 Angers: Les Gones get back to winning ways with narrow victory

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 5, 19/09/25

Olympique Lyonnais managed to get back to winning ways thanks to a second-half goal from Tanner Tessmann, which proved to be enough to defeat a resilient Angers (1-0).  

The Match

Malick Fofana created the first opportunity of the game as he got to the byline and cut the ball back across the six-yard box. Satriano was able to meet the Belgian international’s cut back, but he couldn’t direct the ball goalwards, with Maitland-Niles then failing to beat Koffi to the ball on the follow-up. 

Nicolás Tagliafico believed he had given OL the lead from a free-kick. However, the goal was disallowed as Moussa Niakhaté, who knocked the ball across to him, used his hand. Despite his empty protests, the former Nottingham Forest defender was shown a yellow card for his troubles. A mistake from Greif almost saw Angers take the lead, after the Slovak pushed Raolisoa’s cross into a dangerous area, but Belkhdim couldn’t take advantage of it. 

Towards the end of the first half, Tessmann went close with an outside-the-boot effort, but his shot deflected wide. The USMNT midfielder was left frustrated as Turpin didn’t award Les Gones a corner. 

At the start of the second half, Lyon looked like a team in a hurry. Fonseca, back in the dressing room for the first time since March, demanded a more direct approach from his players. This was noticeable with the Rhône club having as many shots in the opening 10 minutes of the second half as they managed in the whole of the first half.  

After 65 minutes, Lyon finally found an opening. Karabec continued to have an influence on the game with a pinpoint corner finding Satriano in the area. The Uruguayan’s header was saved well by Koffi, but the Angers stopper couldn’t stop the ball finding Tessmann, who made no mistake at the second opportunity and found the back of the net from close range. After a weak OL claim for a penalty, Satriano went close again to finding a debut goal, with his effort denied by the post. 

Malick Fofana did superbly to find Maitland-Niles in the penalty area, before the former England international shifted inside onto his stronger foot, only to curl his effort agonisingly wide. With the score at 1-0, Angers still carried a threat and a chance to spoil the party. 

Prosper Peter had a glorious opportunity in the dying embers of the match with Greif, producing a terrific save at his near post to turn the shot behind for a corner. More problems were created from the corner, but the debutant stopper managed to keep the ball out and secure all three points for his side.  

Lyon player ratings: 

Dominik Greif – 6

Ainsley Matialnd-Niles – 6

Clinton Mata – 5

Moussa Niakhaté – 4

Nicolás Tagliafico – 5

Tanner Tessmann – 6

Corentin Tolisso – 6

Adam Karabec – 6

The Sparta Prague loanee looked the most likely player to make something happen during the first half. Involved in most positive phases of play, the Czech international attacking midfielder found himself in promising positions and threatened with his delivery into the penalty area, but he was unable to create the decisive moment.  

Khalis Merah – 5

Malick Fofana – 6

Despite his best efforts, the Belgian attacker was unable to have his usual influence on the game in the first half against Angers. The winger was heavily involved and created a couple of openings, but found most of his work thwarted and looked frustrated at times. His fortunes improved in the second half, and with a more direct approach deployed, his influence grew, and he could’ve easily left the game with a goal and an assist. 

Martin Satriano – 5

Selected Angers player ratings: 

Lilian Raolisoa – 5 

Playing in a more advanced position, the French right-back threatened during his forays forward on the right flank. His dynamism caused problems for Tagliafico, and his elusivity saw him creating chances on both flanks in the final third. 

Prosper Peter – 5

GFFN | Liam Wraith