In an unexpected turn of events, Manchester United’s goalkeeper André Onana found himself at the center of controversy after making two critical mistakes that marred the game. Ahead of the match, Nemanja Matic labeled Onana as one of United’s weaker goalkeepers in response to Onana’s bold assertation that Manchester United was superior to Lyon. The exchange culminated with Onana reminding Matic that he had won trophies at United, unlike Matic during his tenure.
The match reached its climax in injury time when Rayan Cherki capitalized on Onana’s error, leveling the score for Lyon. Onana’s troubles began earlier when he failed to stop a free-kick from Thiago Almada, much to the likely delight of Matic, who was on the sidelines.
Leny Yoro equalized the match before Joshua Zirkzee seemed to secure a classic victory for United with a header from Bruno Fernandes’s cross in the 87th minute. However, Cherki’s late goal left Onana dejected and United pondering lost opportunities.
Yoro expressed his disappointment, stating, “Conceding a goal at that moment is tough. We wanted a good result away, but now we need a win at home.” Despite this, he remains optimistic about succeeding at Old Trafford, highlighting their strong defense.
The match built up tension, with fans erupting in cheers and jeers, fueled partly by the ongoing spat between Onana and Matic. Lyon seemed to target Diogo Dalot’s defensive weaknesses, creating several chances but failing to convert them effectively.
Eventually, Onana’s first significant mistake gave Lyon the lead, with Almada’s free-kick slipping past him. United’s response saw a mêlée from Fernandes’s efforts, and Yoro managed to equalize by heading home after the keeper parried the ball.
As the game progressed, fans witnessed a gritty, rather than glamorous, contest. The stage is now set for the second leg, with United’s inconsistent form making predictions about their progression to the semi-finals uncertain.
In other European matches, Bodø/Glimt secured a 2-0 victory over Lazio in freezing Norway, with Ulrik Saltnes scoring twice and dominating the game. In the Conference League, Real Betis secured a 2-0 win over Jagiellonia Bialystok, while Fiorentina edged out Celje 2-1, and Rapid Vienna claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Djurgården. Chelsea also cruised to a 3-0 win
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/
