Ligue 1 – « Even Lewandowski could not have done better »: Moussa Dembélé, a flash of genius to overthrow the Olympico

For his third goal in four matches in 2022, the French striker set the tone: silky control, a little touch to put a cold on Saliba’s intervention, and finishing with a subtle lob on Pau Lopez. At the 90th minute of play, as a bonus! The Spanish goalkeeper of OM was still admiring after the meeting: « I thought I had time to get out, but he was very fast, and the truth is he scored a great goal.« A goal worthy of the greatest, which Boateng did not fail to underline, not without a touch of humor: »Even Lewandowski couldn’t have done better than this one!« 

Negative test at 4 p.m., only positive at 10 p.m.

The story could however have been totally different for Dembélé and the Lyonnais, because the striker had been absent for several days, after having contracted the Covid. Positive 48 hours before the game, the 25-year-old forward had to wait for a negative test at 4 p.m. on the day of the game to be allowed to participate in the Olympiques duel. Without recent rhythm, impossible to make it start for Peter Bosz. « I didn’t start him because he didn’t train with the group yesterday. He was on the bench and ready to go“explained the Dutch coach for Prime Video.

An entry into play in the 66th minute, which completely rebalanced the game. An anchor on the Marseille defense, which the Lyonnais sorely lacked until then, Dembélé weighed on the centrals of OM, excellent back to goal and imperial in aerial duels. On one of his calls to the near post, it was he who sucked up Saliba – again him – and freed up space for Shaqiri on the Lyon equalizer. « It’s amazing what the team has done! Moussa is a great scorer, we know his qualities, was also enthusiastic about the Swiss international. He’s in great shape, and he’s helping the team. It’s great that he came into play today. »

He could even have scored a few minutes earlier, with a very daring return, which had already set the tone for his motivation and his feelings in the game. He who was barely in the group during the first meeting between the two clubs last November, not fully recovered from a crack in the fibula, held the revenge of an entire club. Long injured, often criticized this season for his low impact excluding penalties, the striker has shown that he is the man of the big meetings.

Like his goal three years ago in the derby against Saint-Etienne after extra time, Dembélé is a player who wins points. In 2022, his goals have already brought nine to OL, today only six lengths from the podium. The day after the transfer window closed, he also showed that he was the obvious solution in attack for his team, which Boateng confirmed post-match: « We don’t need another number 9, we got one and it was here tonight. » Islam Slimani, who left in the last hours of the transfer window, will surely appreciate it. Lyon supporters, for their part, will be able to appreciate the replays of this sublime goal in abundance, which brings back an oh so precious success to Les Gones.