It was a matchday two to forget for Rangers in the Europa League as they suffered a Lyon battering at Ibrox.
The Ligue 1 outfit may have not hit the heights domestically this season so far but they turned up in Govan as they hit Philippe Clement’s men for four in a thumping win. Malick Fofana – who was a constant threat throughout – handed the visitors an early advantage but Tom Lawrence levelled just four minutes later. But former Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette responded moments later for a third goal inside the opening 20 minutes. The striker then smashed home a cracking goal before the break with Fofana hitting his second of the night ten minutes into the second half.
Light Blues boss Clement rued the ‘difference in quality and finishing’ in his post-match assessment admitting his troops didn’t reward themselves after matching their French opponents chance for chance, but the sharpshooters of the Ligue 1 outfit proved the difference under the lights at Ibrox as they put Rangers to the sword.
Rangers have six more Europa League fixtures in the league phase with one win and now one defeat after an opening game away win at Malmo. Last night’s encounter has made headlines across the globe with Record Sport collating the views and opinions from the media across the world.
L’Equipe (France)
There is, for the moment, a Ligue 1 version of OL and a Europa League version of OL. In terms of European class, after a clear inaugural success against Olympiacos a week ago at home (2-0), Pierre Sage’s Lyonnais followed up with a large victory on the pitch of Glasgow Rangers (4-1), this Thursday evening, which keeps them in second place in the provisional C3 ranking behind Lazio.
In this crazy match at Ibrox, with a slightly biased score, Lyon were as formidable in the opponent’s area as they were feverish in their own. The attacking trio had a blast, with Rayan Cherki in the excellent role of off-centre leader, author of two festivals on the two goals of Malick Fofana, unstoppable in his left wing and Alexandre Lacazette who finally opened his account this season, in cold blood (2-1, 19th) and with a gem from the edge of the area (45th + 1).
Le Parisien (France)
Lyon inflicted one of their very rare home defeats on Rangers in recent years on the European stage, as they had already done in September 2021. Philippe Clement’s “Light Blues” have rarely turned on the lights and taken the thunder of the Rhone, despite having won four in a row, all without conceding a goal.
HLN (Belgium)
Olympique Lyon played against Rangers in the Europa League and the man of the match was Malick Fofana. The 19-year-old Belgian winger scored two goals and provided an assist against Philippe Clement’s team. Lyon won 1-4. Alexandre Lacazette also scored twice, Lawrence scored for the home team. At Rangers, Cyriel Dessers started in the first team, Nicolas Raskin came on as a substitute.
Kicker (Germany)
After a mixed start to Ligue 1, Olympique Lyon showed their best side at European level and achieved a well-deserved and clear victory at Glasgow Rangers. The former French serial champions won 4-1 (3-1) in front of their usual atmospheric crowd at Ibrox Stadium. Two doubles made the difference.
With the maximum yield of six points, OL has secured its place at the top of the EL table. The next opponent in the domestic league is FC Nantes, and on the European level Besiktas Istanbul will come to the Rhone on October 24. The Rangers (three points in the EL) will face FC St. Johnstone at the weekend, and FCSB Bucharest will also be visiting Glasgow on October 24.
The Guardian (UK)
Celtic and Rangers never like to have much in common. This week, they most certainly have. Forty eight hours after Celtic discovered mistakes which go unpunished in Scotland will be capitalised upon at elite level, Rangers suffered a similar fate. The scoreline at Ibrox may not have matched Borussia Dortmund’s 7-1 mauling of the Scottish champions but the theme was the same. Lyon outclassed their hosts, to the point where a 4-1 win did Rangers a favour.
Lyon’s pace, power and counterattacking menace left Rangers grasping desperately for air. Rangers, who like to consider themselves as Europa League specialists, had no reply to such an efficient away performance. In spells Lyon were a joy to watch; they were unquestionably allowed to be. The general unease which surrounds Philippe Clement and his unconvincing Rangers team feels unlikely to dissipate anytime soon. On this evidence, the Belgian manager is struggling to win hearts and minds. He badly needs a marquee result.