Lyon Vs Beşiktaş

Lyon, in excellent form, is preparing to host a struggling Besiktas team that currently finds itself at the bottom of the 36-team Europa League table. The match is scheduled to take place on Thursday evening at the Groupama Stadium.

Under the management of Pierre Sage, Lyon has been on a remarkable five-game winning streak, the latest being a convincing 4-0 victory against Le Havre over the weekend. This success has seen them win both of their matches in the Europa League, putting them in a strong position as they continue their European campaign.

Match Preview

Lyon's Rayan Cherki celebrates scoring on September 26, 2024
© IconSport

Lyon's season began with difficulties, leaving doubts about Sage's future in charge. However, the team's fortunes have transformed dramatically in a very short period. After struggling to secure just one win in their opening six matches, they have now embarked on a series of victories that has elevated them from the relegation zone to just one point shy of the Champions League qualification spots.

This resurgence has been spurred on by their strong start in the Europa League, where they have secured two wins out of two. Their initial victory came against Olympiacos, setting the tone for what followed. Lyon's most recent performance saw them thrash Rangers 4-1 at Ibrox, with striker Alexandre Lacazette scoring twice, bringing his total to 24 goals and placing him fifth on the all-time Europa League scoring list.

Given their impressive home record, Lyon is heavily favored to secure a third consecutive win in this group stage. Historically, they have performed well in the Europa League, losing only one out of 26 group stage matches, with an unbeaten record of 13 home games in this competition.

Furthermore, Lyon has previously bested Besiktas in their only other meeting during the quarter-finals of the Europa League in the 2016-17 season. After an aggregate score of 3-3, Lyon triumphed in a penalty shootout, a result they will hope to replicate in this encounter.

Besiktas Seeking Redemption

For Besiktas, the task of overcoming Lyon may prove challenging, despite their recent domestic success. Under the guidance of manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Besiktas has enjoyed a strong start to the season in the Super Lig, highlighted by a 5-0 victory over rivals Galatasaray in the Super Cup. They also showcased their attacking prowess with eight goals in their qualification matches against Lugano, and have amassed 20 points from a possible 24 in the league thus far.

However, their performance in the Europa League has been disappointing, leaving them at the bottom of the standings. Besiktas suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Ajax in their opening match and followed it up with a lackluster display at home against Eintracht Frankfurt, which has put immense pressure on the team to perform in the upcoming fixtures.

One glimmer of hope for Besiktas lies in the experience of their manager, Van Bronckhorst, who led his Rangers team to the final of the Europa League in the 2021-22 season, despite starting that campaign with two losses. This history could provide the team with the belief needed to turn their current situation around.

However, like many Turkish clubs competing in European competitions, Besiktas has struggled on the road. They have lost their last four away matches in the Europa League, conceding a staggering 15 goals during that stretch. Overall, they have managed to win only one of their last nine matches across all competitions, highlighting a worrying trend.

Struggles in France

Additionally, Besiktas has a particularly poor track record in France, having lost four of their five previous visits to the country. This historical context adds another layer of difficulty as they prepare for their clash with Lyon.

The combination of Lyon's current form, their strong home advantage, and Besiktas's inconsistent performances in Europe makes for a compelling matchup. As Lyon looks to continue their winning streak and secure a place in the next round of the Europa League, Besiktas will need to summon their best efforts if they hope to earn points in this crucial encounter.

Looking Ahead

As the match approaches, both teams will be focusing on their strategies and preparations. Lyon will likely aim to exploit their attacking capabilities and maintain control of the game, while Besiktas must find a way to harness their domestic momentum and translate it into a much-needed European result.

In conclusion, this clash between Lyon and Besiktas at the Groupama Stadium promises to be an intriguing encounter. With Lyon in red-hot form and Besiktas desperately seeking to revive their European hopes, fans can expect an exciting match filled with drama and tension. The stakes are high for both teams, and the outcome could have significant implications for their respective campaigns in the Europa League.