Head coach Dino Toppmöller made two changes for his team’s sixth Europa League match of the season and last of 2024. Top scorer Omar Marmoush was given a rest, with Mario Götze taking his place, and Nnamdi Collins replaced Rasmus Kristensen at right-back.
High-quality first half
Both sides came into this meeting in good form and in the top eight in the league phase table, and it was clear to see why. Hugo Ekitiké – like Niels Nkounkou and Fares Chaibi, back in his native France – had the first chance on five minutes when Tuta’s long ball sent him through, but his finish lacked power and was comfortably held by goalkeeper Lucas Estella Perri. Immediately after that, Lyon created their first opportunity with Corentin Tolisso’s deflected shot hitting the post. Ex-Bayern midfielder Tolisso then set up Lyon captain Alexandre Lacazette, but the experienced striker missed the target.
Just as the hosts were beginning to gain control of the game, Eintracht struck at a good time. A ball over the top from Götze caught out defender Duje Caleta-Car and Ekitiké took advantage, skilfully lifting the ball with the outside of his foot to the far post, where Ansgar Knauff was running in to volley into the bottom corner. The home side were undeterred, though, and levelled eight minutes later when Tolisso’s shot from just outside the box was guided in by the outstretched foot of Rayan Cherki.
The rest of the first half belonged to the hosts and the Eagles had to work hard defensively to keep the score level. Kevin Trapp made a good block with his feet from Lacazette’s effort, before Ernest Nuamah hit the near post from a tight angle. Eintracht were grateful to hear the half-time whistle.
Quickfire double enough for Lyon
However, the second period – with Kristensen and Ellyes Skhiri on in place of Niels Nkounkou and Tuta – began badly for the visitors. After Arthur Theate lost the ball by the touchline, Cherki teed up Malick Fofana to side-foot home and put the hosts in front. Just four minutes later, Nuamah picked up the ball on the right and cut inside before curling an unstoppable effort past Trapp to make it 3-1.
Toppmöller responded and sent on Marmoush and Can Uzun for Chaibi and Götze. Uzun was quickly involved but sent his first attempt narrowly wide. With Lyon now defending in greater numbers, Eintracht struggled to create clear opportunities as the contest almost became more fractious, with several bookings on both sides. In the 83rd minute, substitute Georges Mikautadze had the chance to seal it for Lyon but couldn’t find the target.
Eintracht then suddenly found a way back into the game. Marmoush, whose low shot had been saved by Perri seconds before, latched onto a through ball from Uzun and buried the ball into the bottom corner to set up a tense finish at the Groupama Stadium. However, no further chances arose in the six minutes of stoppage time and the Hessians’ long unbeaten run in the competition came to an end.