OL fall to Celta as Europa League exit revives painful pattern | OneFootball

Lyon’s Europa League run unravelled against Celta Vigo, a 1-1 draw in Galicia followed by a 0-2 home defeat, extending a familiar pattern. According to Le Progres, OL have progressed only once after drawing a first leg since 2002.

On Thursday night Corentin Tolisso wept as a quarter-final place that had felt attainable slipped away.

Lyon topped their group and landed in the softer half of the knockout bracket, with second legs at home. Yet Celta’s cohesion told at the Groupama Stadium.

The recent past offers more stings. Last year at Old Trafford, OL led 4-2 in extra time with ten men, yet exited a chaotic quarter-final, 2-2 on the night and 4-5 after extra time.

In the 21st century, six last-16 ties have slipped away after first-leg draws, at home or away, often to bigger opponents such as Roma, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

West Ham beat Lyon 3-0 in Décines in 2022 after a 1-1 in London. In 2018 a 1-0 win in Moscow was undone by CSKA’s 3-2 in Décines on away goals.

There were near misses too. Ajax edged a 2017 semi-final despite Lyon’s 3-1 fightback after a 1-4 first leg. A 0-0 in Odessa in 2014 preceded a 1-0 home win and progress.

Source: Le Progres