“We had no emotional balance” – Paulo Fonseca explains Lyon’s collapse at Old Trafford
Paulo Fonseca believes Lyon has “a lack of emotional balance” after taking a 4-2 lead with Manchester United, and points to their celebrations as the reason they collapsed into an extra 5-4 defeat in the surprising second game in the Europa League quarterfinals.
After a strike from Rayan Cerki and a penalty from Alexandre Lacazette gave him a 4-2 lead in the evening, Lyon looked to be on the brink of place in the semi-finals as he levelled up the match 2-2 in the evening and recovered 4-4.
They controlled the tie despite Corentin Torisso being sent in the usual 89th minute.
However, after Lacazette’s spot kick caused a paranoid celebration, Lyon was unable to see the game spectacularly. Bruno Fernandez’s penalty gave United Hope before Cobby Mineau greeted him with an equalizer that had a brilliantly filmed Old Trafford.
But the best drama came in the 121st minute when Harry Maguire, who was playing as a makeshift striker, headed home to complete an incredible comeback and knocked Lyon down 7-6 in total.
After the game, a bewildered Fonseca told a press conference:
“First of all, we did something epic. We led 4-2 with one player on the pitch, but we celebrated 4-2 when the game didn’t finish.
“I don’t think there was an emotional balance at this point. That’s the only negative I can identify. I celebrated 4-2 when I still had time to play.
“We should have thought about continuing to manage the game. We had no experience at this point. It’s sad because we thought it was more appropriate.”
Malic Fofana, who won a penalty for converting by Lacazette, reflected the coach’s sentiment.
“We played such a good game, so I think everyone is disappointed, but in the end, that wasn’t enough,” Fofana said.
“I think we’ve eased a bit. We thought it was over, but the big games are like that. They’re never finished. In the end, you have to expect more from yourself, especially in a match like that. I think that’s a match I won’t forget.”