Olympique Lyonnais manager Paulo Fonseca delivered a candid post-match assessment following his team’s 2-0 defeat to Real Betis on the fourth matchday of the UEFA Europa League, suggesting his side were unlucky despite a clear lack of attacking threat. The surprising analysis, delivered November 6, 2025, raises questions about the team’s current form and reliance on returning injured players.
Despite acknowledging a strong start and periods of dominance, Fonseca pinpointed a critical failure to capitalize on opportunities as the root cause of the loss. The defeat leaves Lyon facing an uphill battle to qualify from Group C, intensifying scrutiny on Fonseca’s tactical approach and the team’s offensive capabilities. the coach’s comments highlight a potential reliance on key players currently sidelined, impacting the club’s immediate prospects in both European and domestic competitions.
“Maybe we deserved better tonight. We entered the match well, we did a lot of good things, but the last move was missing,” Fonseca stated. He further elaborated, “We lacked initiative up front, we dominated this match, but when we made mistakes, they scored.I think it’s a match we have to accept. We were not a hazardous team offensively. We were not effective.”
Fonseca identified the absence of injured stars as a significant factor, specifically mentioning Fofana, Nuamah, and Tolisso. “I think we need our injured players like Fofana, Nuamah or Tolisso. We need them,” he emphasized. While acknowledging the courage displayed by younger players, he also noted their inexperience contributed to costly errors. “The young players played with courage. We made mistakes, ther is a lack of experience among the young people. It’s football.”
The article was originally published on November 6, 2025, at 23:32 and updated on November 7, 2025, at 00:43.
