In the first leg of the Europa League round of 16, Olympique Lyonnais managed to secure a draw (0-0) during their visit to Chernomorets Odessa on Thursday. Despite the lack of goals, OL remains hopeful for the return leg at Gerland next week, keeping their chances of qualification intact. Fielding a significantly altered lineup and employing a new tactical setup, the Rhodanians held their own against their Ukrainian opponents in a match that lacked excitement.
Jimmy Briand, the seasoned French striker for OL, was among the few experienced players in the Les Gones squad who started against Chernomorets Odessa. While satisfied with the result, Briand acknowledged that the match didn’t offer much enjoyment.
“We came with the objective of not conceding a goal. It wasn’t the most thrilling game, but the important thing was to secure a result. Our focus now shifts to the match at Gerland, where we’ll need to put in the effort to secure qualification. The younger players in the team are attentive and eager to perform. Credit goes to the entire group for their commitment.”
