MATCH REPORT | Lyon 2-1 Brest: Del Castillo’s red card allows Pavel Šulc and Endrick to shine | OneFootball

After a positive performance in the Coupe de France, Lyon secured three points as they welcomed Brest to the Groupama Stadium on Sunday evening, with a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Pavel Šulc and Abner.  

The early stages of the first half were evenly contested. Les Gones dominated possession as expected as the home side, but Les Pirates weren’t without their threats. What looked to be a cagey encounter in prospect was blown wide open in the 20th minute following Romain Del Castillo’s dismissal. The Frenchman was given his marching orders following a late challenge from behind on Nicolás Tagliafico. A lengthy VAR review was required, but eventually the decision was confirmed.  

Following the Brest playmaker’s red card, OL continued to dominate proceedings by retaining the majority of possession. Nevertheless, the visitors showed resilience by adopting a more defensive approach and hoping to take any opportunities that may have presented themselves on the counter-attack. Éric Roy’s more conservative approach with a man disadvantage saw Lyon huff and puff for 20 minutes before they found their breakthrough. 

Pavel Šulc was the man to open the scoring. Dominik Greif’s quick thinking to launch an attack from his own box freed up Afonso Moreira in space. The Portuguese youth international played a straight ball to the Czech playmaker, who evaded his marker with great skill. Šulc then proceeded to take the ball around the keeper, leaving an almost impossible angle for himself, yet he managed to find the back of the net with a superb finish. 

With momentum swinging their way, OL made their numerical advantage count just before half-time. Aber hit a venomous strike from distance to double his side’s lead. Endrick did brilliantly to find his compatriot, and the former Real Bétis defender found the top corner on the stroke of half-time. 

Despite being behind at the break and a man down, Brest started the second half in positive fashion. This resilience presented a golden opportunity through Ludovic Ajorque, who’s long term future with the Breton club remains in doubt. The forward did well to control the ball with his chest, before firing goalwards from close range, but his effort went wide. 

Šulc thought he had put the game to bed as he found the back of the net for the second-time of the evening. However, a lengthy review provided the visitors with a glimmer of hope, after Tanner Tessmann was ruled offside in the build-up to the Czech international attacking midfielder firing the ball home. Brest did not lose faith and eventually found a way back into the game. 

Following a set-piece, Eric Junior Dina Embimbe reduced the deficit. A deep free kick was sent into the box, and after everyone in the box failed to deal with the delivery, the ball found its way to the Cameroonian international at the far post to find the back of the net via a deflection. The former Frankfurt midfielder almost found an equaliser in stoppage time. An inswinging cross found the Brest midfielder unmarked in the area, but he couldn’t guide his diving header on target. Despite a nervy ending, Lyon managed to survive and secure three points. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith