PLAYER RATINGS I Lyon 3-2 Auxerre: Les Gones retain their place on the podium thanks to a crucial performance from Corentin Tolisso | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 31, 25/04/2026

Having returned to the top three following their victory over Paris Saint-Germain (1-2) last weekend, Olympique Lyonnais were hoping to hold on to third place against an AJ Auxerre side desperate for points in their battle to avoid relegation

The match

Playing at home, Paulo Fonseca’s men were the favourites going into the match, keen to secure their third consecutive Ligue 1 victory. And it didn’t take them long to get off to a flying start. Dominating the game, their pressure paid off in the 20th minute, when Roman Yaremchuk, set up perfectly by Abner Vinícius, managed to beat Théo De Percin. It was a deserved opener for Lyon, who, 15 minutes later, saw their former teammate Sinaly Diomandé gift AJA the equaliser following a mix-up in the Lyon penalty area. And their current teammate Orel Mangala was forced off through injury.

Returning from the dressing room determined to regain the lead, Les Gones nevertheless lacked precision, even leaving themselves vulnerable to the opposition’s counter-attacks. Faced with the urgency of the situation, Fonseca took charge, bringing on his captain Corentin Tolisso and his top scorer Pavel Sulč for the first time since their return from injury. A tactical decision with an immediate impact, as Tolisso quickly restored his side’s lead, this time set up by Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Already trailing, Auxerre found themselves further behind five minutes later, when Yaremchuk scored his second goal to make it 3-1. Fighting hard, AJA managed to pull one back after Bryan Okoh’s late goal, but were unable to get back into the game, suffering their 16th defeat of the season.

Lyon player ratings:

Dominik Greif – 4

At fault for Auxerre’s second goal, the OL goalkeeper failed to inspire confidence or keep things calm during Auxerre’s rare chances, a far cry from his performance against PSG.

Maitland-Niles – 6

Clinton Mata – 6

Moussa Niakhaté – 6

Abner Vinícius – 6

Orel Mangala – 

Tyler Morton – 5

Endrick – 5

Khalis Merah – 6

Afonso Moreira – 5

Roman Yaremchuk – 7

Although he didn’t exactly shine on the pitch or in his link-up play with his teammates, the Ukrainian managed to find the back of the net twice – his first brace for OL – at two crucial moments in the match.

Selected Auxerre player ratings:

Lassine Sinayoko – 4

Sinaly Diomandé – 7

The Ivorian once again caused his former club a great deal of trouble, putting in an impressive defensive display, scoring the equaliser, and then proving decisive once again for the second goal.

Romain Faivre – 5