UEL: Lyon Take Control of Europa League Tie with 3-1 Win at FCSB

Olympique Lyonnais secured a crucial 3-1 away victory over FCSB in their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie, thanks to a late brace from substitute Malick Fofana.

Olympique Lyonnais secured a crucial 3-1 victory over FCSB in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie in Bucharest. This win came in the aftermath of manager Paulo Fonseca receiving a nine-month ban for his unacceptable behavior towards a referee in their previous match.

Lyon started nervously, with Moussa Niakhate losing possession to David Miculescu on the edge of his own box. Miculescu then rounded goalkeeper Lucas Perri but failed to capitalize, sending the ball wide from a tight angle. Perri soon made amends with two impressive saves, first tipping Malcom Edjouma's aerial effort over and then producing a stunning point-blank save to deny Siyabonga Nguezana's diving header.

As the first half progressed, Lyon gained control, with Georges Mikautadze's strike deflecting wide and his near-post flick from the resulting corner prompting a reaction save from Stefan Tarnovanu. Mikautadze's persistence paid off on the half-hour mark, as his looping cross set up the opening goal. Nicolas Tagliafico's downward header at the back post proved unstoppable, despite Nguezana's sliding attempt to clear the ball.

Despite FCSB's initial pressure, Lyon appeared more likely to extend their lead in the second half. Georges Mikautadze continued to pose a threat, and his left-footed curler was heading towards the top corner before Stefan Tarnovanu intervened with a crucial glove save.

However, against the run of play, FCSB equalized through substitute Alexandru Baluta. Risto Radunovic's cross to the back post found Baluta, who calmly controlled the ball before firing it into the net. This equalizer did not faze Lyon, and with just five minutes remaining, substitute Malick Fofana scored his fifth European goal of the campaign. Fofana neatly placed the ball into the bottom corner after it fell kindly to him in the box.

Lyon in control after the first leg 🔥#UEL pic.twitter.com/Y54U64cYPj

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 6, 2025

In a chaotic conclusion to the match, FCSB came agonizingly close to equalizing again. Joyskim Dawa's close-range header from a corner was brilliantly stopped by Lucas Perri, who then quickly launched the ball forward. Malick Fofana seized the opportunity, calmly slotting past Tarnovanu to give Lyon a two-goal advantage ahead of the second leg. This victory also maintained Lyon's unbeaten head-to-head record against FCSB, with four wins and one draw (W4, D1).