After ASSE - OL: Nabil Fekir, Anthony Lopes come up clutch in derby
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"A derby isn't played, it's won." - Any Olympique Lyonnais fan worth their salt knows that the only truly acceptable result against Saint-Etienne is a victory. This holds even more true for Lyon players - especially the likes of Anthony Lopes and Nabil Fekir, two team leaders who are fully aware that the Rhone derby is literally more than just a game. And like the leaders they are, both players came up clutch when their team needed them to help Les Gones pull off a 2-1 win at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Captain fantastic
Fekir showed yet again why he wears the skipper's armband, staying cool under pressure, setting the tone and leading his teammates in hostile territory. In addition to scoring the tying penalty in the 65th minute, the 25-year-old midfielder was all over the pitch, contributing in attack while helping out on defense - including a memorable, 40-meter run in the final moments to stop Pierre-Yves Polomat and recover possession.
📺 @NabilFekir's penalty, @MDembele_10's last-second header... relive #TeamOL's dramatic, come-from-behind derby win! #ASSEOL 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/ZXfu0ZI30m
— OL English (@OL_English) January 21, 2019
'Keeping it close
As he's done time and time again, Anthony Lopes saved his team with highlight-reel stops that allowed OL to stay in the game and ultimately take all three points at ASSE. Most notable was an extraordinary 62nd-minute double save against Wahbi Khazri and subsequent flying dive that deflected Remy Cabella's effort on the rebound. The deserved Man of the Match thanks to another unforgettable performance between the sticks.
📺 If there were any doubts about Anthony Lopes being named #derby Man of the Match... SIMPLY AMAZING! 👐🙌🙌🙌 🔥😱 #ASSEOL pic.twitter.com/JrWheXRGzD
— OL English (@OL_English) January 21, 2019
