Player Ratings as Olympique Lyon came back from behind to beat AS Monaco 3-2 in a thrilling encounter that also saw as many as five red cards.
Coming into the game knowing that a win was needed to keep them alive in the race for the Ligue 1 title, AS Monaco were off to a positive start as Kevin Volland put them in front after being set up by Wissam Ben Yedder in the 25th minute. The German forward had a great chance to double the hosts’ advantage four minutes before the half-time break but failed to take it.
This came back to haunt Monaco as Memphis Depay equalised for Olympique Lyon twelve minutes into the second half with a stunning strike from 20 metres out after easing past three opponent players. However, they were reduced to ten men soon after as Maxence Caqueret received his second booking of the night. That didn’t discourage Lyon, though, as Marcelo headed in from Depay’s free-kick to make it 2-1 in the 77th minute.
Ben Yedder pulled Monaco back on level terms in the 86th minute from the penalty spot after Anthony Lopes had fouled Pietro Pellegri. However, in dramatic fashion, substitute Rayan Cherki scored in the last minute of normal time to put Lyon in the lead again.
Frustrations boiled over in stoppage time as a huge brawl broke out on the pitch, leading to the sending off of as many as four players – Pellegri and Willem Geubbels of Monaco and Mattia De Sciglio and Marcelo of Lyon in the 96th minute. The result dents Monaco’s title hopes as they are five points off of leaders Lille with three games left, while Lyon’s chances of a Champions League qualifying spot were boosted massively.
Here are our player ratings from the thrilling encounter at Stade Louis II.
AS Monaco
Benjamin Lecomte: 5/10
Made a good save to deny Karl Toko Ekambi in the first half but shipped in three goals after the break, although he wasn’t helped by a leaky defence in front of him.
Djibril Sidibe: 5.5/10
Worked hard on the right side of the defence, was hugely solid in the first period but suffered like the rest of the time after the break, although he did make four interceptions – a game-high. Wasn’t much of an outlet going forward.
Guillermo Maripan: 5/10
Had a steady first period, making a couple of key interventions, producing a match-high three tackles. Unraveled after the break though, got a deflection on Depay’s strike leading to the equaliser and was all at sea for the rest of the game.
Axel Disasi: 4.5/10
Like the rest of the defence, enjoyed a solid first half but was struggling after the break as Lyon upped the ante. Beaten all ends up for the equalising goal, leading to his substitution soon after.
Caio Henrique: 4.5/10
Took up positions high up the pitch early on but wasn’t able to make meaningful contributions in attack and was sloppy on the ball. Improved with time but didn’t do enough in attack or defence. Made way for Pellegri late in the game.
Aurelien Tchouameni: 4/10
Struggled to impose himself on the game as he constantly came second-best in duels on the night. Was beaten to the ball by Marcelo for Lyon’s second goal, after he was beaten by Depay in the lead-up to the first. Hooked off soon after. Well below his best.
Youssouf Fofana: 4.5/10
A game wherein the 22-year-old never really made much of an influence. Did not see the ball much and when he did he wasn’t always progressive with his passes. Not strong enough in his duels either. Booked and taken off soon after.
Ruben Aguilar: 5/10
Had a few good moments going forward but was let down by his final ball. Defensively, tracked back well and was not lacking for efforts but couldn’t prevent his team from ending up on the losing side.
Cesc Fabregas: 5/10
Back in the starting XI, the veteran midfielder was involved in almost everything positive that Monaco conjured up in the first half and played in three key passes, including a lovely pass for Volland early in the first half. Could have done better to try and stop Depay leading to the equaliser. Taken off not long after.
Kevin Volland: 6.5/10
⚠️ | QUICK STAT
With his goal vs Lyon, Kevin Volland now has 23 goal involvements (16 ⚽️ & 7 ?️) in Ligue 1 this season, equalling his career-high for a single league campaign (also had 23 in the 2018/19 Bundesliga).
He's having a fantastic debut campaign for Monaco! ?#ASMOL pic.twitter.com/s4JPe9tNz5
— SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) May 2, 2021
Got Monaco in front in the first period with a well-taken goal after beating Jason Denayer. Should have taken his chance just before half-time. Created a fine chance for Eliot Matazo after the break. Worked hard off the ball.
Wissam Ben Yedder: 7/10
The Player to Watch in our match preview, the Monaco captain set up Volland for the opening goal with a fine pass and then made no mistake from the penalty spot to bring his team back on level terms in the second half. Played two key passes and won his fair share of aerial duels.
100 – Wissam Ben Yedder is the third current Ligue 1 player to have scored 100 goals in the top-flight, after Jimmy Briand (100) and Kylian Mbappé (105). Centenarian. #ASMOL pic.twitter.com/mLLHlWWvRd
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) May 2, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Benoit Badiashile: 4/10
Replaced Disasi for the final half hour or so. Not solid enough.
Eliot Matazo: 4/10
On for Fabregas after Depay’s equaliser. Missed a great chance as he failed to control the ball.
Fode Ballo-Toure: 4/10
Came on for Fofana in the 68th minute. Couldn’t make any sort of impact.
Willem Geubbels: N/A
On for Aguilar with less than ten minutes left. Involved in the brawl and was shown a red card.
Pietro Pellegri: N/A
On for Henrique in the 81st minute. Won the penalty and then was shown a red card following the melee.
Pietro Pellegri, 3 years at Monaco, 2 goals, 4 yellow cards & 1 red card
Willem Geubbels – 3 years at Monaco, 1 goal, 3 yellow cards & 1 red card
For once they weren't injured and they got into a fight and both got red cards… pic.twitter.com/uLku1ZD80Y
— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) May 2, 2021
Olympique Lyon
Anthony Lopes: 5/10
Not a lot he could have done about Volland’s goal but was poor to give away the penalty and had no chance against Ben Yedder’s Panenka. Pulled off a smart save soon after to keep his side in the game.
Jason Denayer: 4/10
Rushed back into the line up for the game, the Belgian was beaten by Volland for the first goal and had to be subbed off soon after.
Marcelo: 6/10
After a torrid outing against Lille, the centre-back was solid here for large parts and scored the second goal to put Lyon in front in the second half. Strong in the air, he won as may as eight aerial duels – the most on the night. Sent off in stoppage time.
Mattia De Sciglio: 6.5/10
Deployed as a centre-back again, this time as part of a three-man backline, the Italian had a solid game on Sunday night. Made three interceptions and completed most of his passes while setting Cherki up for the winning goal.
Meanwhile Mattia De Sciglio provided a crucial assist in Lyon’s 3-2 win over Monaco. He was also sent off. pic.twitter.com/Uv6suP1tWF
— Khaled Al Nouss (@khaledalnouss1) May 2, 2021
Leo Dubois: 5.5/10
Missed a good chance early in the game but did well to create a chance for Toko Ekambi soon after. Was a decent outlet going forward before being taken off at half-time for Tino Kadewere.
Thiago Mendes: 4/10
A non-entity for most of the first period as he hardly made any notable contribution. Showed slight improvement after the break and helped his team organise better. Not good enough, though.
Maxence Caqueret: 5/10
Had been having a good game as he provided energy and vision in midfield. Not supported ably by Mendes which meant he had a lot to do by himself. Completed 90% of his passes before being sent off in the second period for a second bookable offence.
Maxwel Cornet: 5/10
Reinstated to the starting XI, the 24-year-old provided a good outlet going forward but the end product was found lacking. Played in neatly by Depay for a chance but couldn’t beat Lecomte.
Lucas Paqueta: 5.5/10
Energetic in and around the attacking midfield region, the Brazilian got into spaces between the lines and tried to make things happen, playing in three key passes. Seemed to fade as the game wore on though.
Karl Toko Ekambi: 6/10
A bright game for the attacker who was denied by a fine save by Lecomte early in the game before he set up Depay for the equalising goal. Looked a threat, especially in the first half. Finished with two dribbles and two key passes.
Memphis Depay: 8/10
Memphis Depay ? pic.twitter.com/enPcA3QwDt
— Lana??♀️ (@Cocolitooo) May 2, 2021
The best player on the pitch, the Olympique Lyon was in his elements from the get-go as he went about creating chances for Dubois and Toko Ekambi, both of which weren’t taken. Got his team back in the game with the brilliant equaliser before setting Marcelo up for the second. Finished with a game-high five key passes and four dribbles.
SUBSTITUTES
Sinaly Diomande: 6/10
On for Denayer around the half-hour mark. Provided a strong presence in the air and won his fair share of duels.
Tino Kadewere: 5/10
Replaced Dubois at the onset of the second half. Supported Depay and Toko Ekambi well but wasn’t able to make a defining impact. Booked for a dangerous foul on Caio Henrique.
Houssem Aouar: N/A
On for Paqueta for the last 15 minutes. Did not do much of note.
Bruno Guimaraes: N/A
Replaced Mendes in the 88th minute. Involved in the buildup to the winning goal.
Rayan Cherki: N/A
Came on in place of Toko Ekambi. Had just six touches but scored the match-winning goal from one of those. Impact.
