Lyon vs Monaco live stream online: Ligue 1 Conforama, matchday nine
Don't miss a minute of Lyon vs Monaco live online, from Ligue 1 Conforama. Preview, build-up, live coverage and live score. Kick off 20:45 (CEST) with AS English.
Lyon vs Monaco: match summary
Lyon scored a dramatic victory in the Groupama Stadium on Friday as club captain Nabil Fekir took the responsibility of a temptingly placed free kick deep into stoppage time to fire a glorious strike past Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic, handing his side victory after a frenetic 90 minutes that produced perhaps the finest opening 45 of football in Europe so far this season.
In a first half of exceptional attacking intent, Mariano gave the home side the lead when he slammed in Fekir's pinpoint cross, only for Monaco to equalise minutes later when Rony Lopes ran through onto a splendid ball from Keita Baldé to slot past his compatriot Anthony Lopes in the Lyon goal. Fekir, who appeared to be playing the final minutes of the game with an injury to his arm, popped up to make it to 2-1 to the hosts when he finished a sweeping move from the edge of the Lyon area with a sure left-footed finish.
Monaco levelled again when Adama Traoré latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the area and sent an unstoppable shot crashing into the back of Lopes' net.
It seemed that more goals were a given after a half of such quality and attacking verve but although there were plenty of chances at both ends, particularly a venemous free-kick struck against the foot of the post by Mariano, the game appeared to be heading for a draw with the clock deep into stoppage time when Fekir stepped up to apply his magical left boot to the final act.
Lyon vs Monaco live stream online: as it happened
Lyon vs Monaco live stream online: match preview
Monaco look to keep pressure on PSG as they travel to Lyon on Saturday in Ligue 1. Lyon are looking to get their first win in over a month and Monaco aim to go level with PSG atop the league with their Parisien rivals not playing until Saturday against Dijon, away from home.
Lyon team news
The Bruno Génésio-managed side started the Ligue 1 campaign in flying form with wins at home to Strasbourg and away against Rennes but they have only won one since with four draws and a loss now on their record. They have failed to win in over a month with their last three-pointer coming on September 10th against Guingamp.
Lyon know they need to start gathering points if they hope to trouble the current European place holders, "We're in urgent need of points, especially against a direct rival for a European qualifying place," explained goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. "We have to take the three points that will enable us to pick up momentum and start a run of wins. We mustn't have doubts as that will just make things more difficult afterwards. We have to move forward hand-in-hand and be confident."
That is not to suggest the four draws they have been involved in were bores. Their last two have had a combined 12 goals - two 3-3's - and Mariano Diaz continues to impress as he replaces the Alexandre Lacazette-shaped hole in their attack. He has six goals in eight games so far this season and has declared his desire to break into the Spain squad. Julen Lopetegui admits he is keeping tabs on the Dominican Republic born striker and says his form is up to the standard they expect in the Spanish national side.
On the injury front, Génésio is missing Papa Cheikh, who is still recovering from a sprained ankle and he will also have to do without centre-half Marcelo, who was sent off last time out against Angers after 50 minutes and with Lyon up 3-1 before they collapsed and let in two with 10 men.
Monaco team news
This game might have turned into a shoot-out between Radamel Falcao and Mariano Diaz - the first and third-highest scorers in the league this season. Falcao, coming off international duty where he came under pressure for reportedly telling opposition players to cool their jets as both teams would qualify with a draw, has scored 12 goals with 24 shots this season. His manager, Leonardo Jardim, will rest him, however, saying: "To try and play at Lyon could 'kill' him. He won't play. Anyway, his physical condition won't allow him to play two matches in 48 hours." El Tigre's efficiency and conversion rate in the penalty area will be a huge miss when the teams take to the field.
Jardim will have to think outside the box to make sure his side don't miss a beat on Friday as he has a host of injuries to contend with. Loic Badiashile, Julien Serrano, Adama Diakhaby, Stevan Jovetic will all miss out with injuries that range from shoulder and ankle, to back and wound complaints. Meanwhile, Gabriel Boschilia is not available and Fabinho must sit out thanks to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Lyon vs Monaco live stream online: betting odds
The bookmakers have the home side as favourites for this game at 11/10 (with a Monaco victory priced at a more tempting 11/5). However, maybe the value lies in another marker with both Memphis Depay and Bertrand Traore for first goalscorer sitting at 6/1.