Fenerbahçe-Lyon: Openda shines, intensity high, Kanté struggles in Champions League qualifier

Loïs Openda netted his debut goal for Olympique Lyonnais, securing a crucial 1-1 draw against Fenerbahçe in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying tie. The Belgian striker, in his third appearance for the French club, demonstrated his attacking prowess by scoring a header in the 40th minute from a Corentin Tolisso cross. Openda nearly added a second goal in the 53rd minute, hitting the post with a long-range shot, capping a highly effective performance.

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Third match in Lyon colors and first goal for Loïs Openda, who showed the way for OL during the Gones' draw on Fenerbahçe's field (1-1) this Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs.

The match itself was a high-octane affair, showcasing the return of intense club football. Both Fenerbahçe and Lyon engaged in a back-and-forth battle, particularly in midfield, where Lyon ultimately gained the upper hand. The game maintained a high tempo throughout, with numerous counter-attacks and structured plays, making for a compelling spectacle, further amplified by the passionate atmosphere in Istanbul's Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

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The intensity worthy of the Champions League. Club football is well and truly back.

Lyon's defensive solidity was a notable aspect of the game, representing a significant turnaround from their previous performances. The return of defender Moussa Niakhaté appeared to bolster the backline, which had faltered in a recent match against Sparta Prague. Lyon's defense was effective in neutralizing set pieces, and their tactical approach, including Paulo Fonseca's decision to have Tyler Morton drop back to support Abner Vinicius against Mason Greenwood, generally paid off. However, a rare defensive lapse in the 47th minute allowed Greenwood to score with a powerful strike.

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Lyon's defensive solidity. What happened in two weeks? Facing Sparta Prague a few days ago, the Lyon defense had completely collapsed in the first leg. This Tuesday, its remarkable solidity was astonishing.

On the opposing side, N'Golo Kanté, the 35-year-old World Cup winner, appeared to be struggling. Reports indicate he was often late to challenges, slower than usual, and less dominant in midfield, suggesting his age is beginning to impact his game. Kanté was one of only two Fenerbahçe players who seemed to be having difficulty during the match.

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Kanté struggling. N’Golo Kanté is 35 years old. It is unfortunately starting to show.