PLAYER RATINGS | Lyon 2-0 Basel: OL mantain their perfect start in Europe | OneFootball

UEFA Europa League, Round 3, 23/10/25

After two consecutive defeats, Lyon returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory against Basel in the UEFA Europa League. Goals from Corentin Tolisso and Alfonso Moreira ensured OL kept their perfect record in Europe going. 

The match

It was a frenetic start from Lyon as they opened the scoring inside the first three minutes. Mathys De Carvalho won the ball after a loose pass from Hitz in the Basel goal, which allowed Tolisso to open the scoring with a lofted finish. 

Satriano escaped in behind with Fofana supporting him, but the Uruguyan was hesitant and his finish ended up far wide. After taking the lead, Les Gones looked rather comfortable in the match and dominated possession. However, clear cut chances were few and far between.

The visitors’ best opportunity of the first half came from former OL midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, whose effort from inside the box was well saved by Greif. As the hosts searched for a second goal, Abner found Satriano at the back post. Despite rising highest, the forward couldn’t direct his header beyond Hitz.

With Lyon leading at the break, Paulo Fonseca decided to change things up in midfield and substituted Tanner Tessmann in favour of Tyler Morton. The former Liverpool midfielder was forced into action quickly as a he was required at the far post to prevent Ajeti tapping in at the far post. The Swiss international almost escaped in behind again but Clinton Mata showed excellent recovery pace to deny him. 

Les Gones lacked an attacking edge in the opening stages of the second half, which allowed the Swiss Super Leahue side to grow in confidence through sustained periods of possession. Shaqiri teed up Léo Leroy, who was left unmarked 6 yards out from goal, but he couldn’t beat Greif who made himself big to close down the chance. The Frenchman should’ve done better with the finish.  

In the final ten minutes, Alfonso Moreira thought he had scored his first goal for OL as Morton squared the ball to him at the back post, but the England U21 international was deemed offside. The Portuguese attacker would finally open his account for the Rhone club in the final minute with a superb finish. 

Lyon player ratings

Dominik Greif – 7

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 5

Clinton Mata – 7

Moussa Niakhaté – 5

Abner Vinicius –  5

Mathys De Carvalho – 7

Tanner Tessmann – 5, replaced by Tyler Morton (5) at half time 

Corentin Tolisso – 7 

Playing as an auxiliary centre forward, the France international was behind everything positive OL produced in the final third. Picking up more advanced positions, the midfielder caused problems with late runs and created opportunities. He was in the right place at the right time for his goal, but took it well regardless. 

Khalis Merah – 6

Martin Satriano – 4

The Lens loanee still looks a rather awkward fit at Lyon. His workrate cannot be faulted, but things aren’t happening for him in the final third and it was no different against Basel. The Uruguyan was presented with two big opportunities but lacked confidence and conviction on both occasions, leading to the chances being squandered. 

Malick Fofana – 5

GFFN | Liam Wraith