Onana errors cost Manchester United and let Lyon have the last laugh

Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵

Manchester United Goalkeeper Onana’s Errors Prove Costly Against Lyon

In a notable turn of events, Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana became the central figure for his team’s misfortunes, committing two significant errors that positioned him as the main culprit and highlighted pre-match criticisms from Nemanja Matic.

Pre-Match Exchange and Onana’s Costly Mistakes

Leading up to the match, Matic had described Onana as one of Manchester United’s least effective goalkeepers in response to Onana’s assertion that United were superior to Lyon. This back-and-forth culminated in Onana pointing to his trophy wins at United, a feat Matic did not achieve during his five years. However, the game unfolded into a disappointing night for Onana, marked by crucial errors, including one that contributed to the home side’s equalising goal.

Late into added time, Rayan Cherki scored after Onana inadequately pushed away Corentin Tolisso’s shot, directing it into the path of the 21-year-old. Onana’s initial mistake was even more glaring; a Thiago Almada free-kick bypassed him directly, likely much to the satisfaction of Matic, who remained an unused substitute.

Match Progression: Goals and Key Moments

Leny Yoro levelled the score at 1-1 before Joshua Zirkzee appeared to have secured an unexpected victory, heading in Bruno Fernandes’s precise cross in the 87th minute. However, Cherki’s late equaliser concluded the game, leaving Onana in despair and Manchester United considering what could have been achieved.

Post-Match Reactions

Yoro’s Perspective

Yoro commented, “It’s the worst time to concede a goal. Two-one would have been a positive result away from home but now we have to secure the win at home. They’re a strong team with a good striker, and we must be prepared for everything. We defended effectively, maintained compactness, and will need to replicate that at home. We need to stay focused—we didn’t lose tonight, and we are capable of winning at Old Trafford, definitely.”

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Yoro on his Goal

Regarding his headed goal, the defender explained, “I reacted instinctively and just aimed to get my head to the ball.” The dramatic conclusion sets up a closely contested second leg next week. Given Manchester United’s inconsistency, it remains uncertain whether they can overcome Lyon and advance to the semi-final.

Atmosphere and Match Dynamics

The pre-match exchange between Onana and Matic fueled the atmosphere as the crowd, setting off flares and firecrackers, filled the stadium and jeered Onana whenever possible.

Similarly, a section of the crowd nearly jeered Tolisso when his attempt to intercept Fernandes’s free-kick almost resulted in an own goal, narrowly missing his own goalkeeper, Lucas Perri.

Lyon frequently targeted Diogo Dalot as a potential weakness, exploiting his positioning with diagonal passes. On two occasions, he was caught off guard. The second instance allowed Georges Mikautadze to head towards Tolisso, but Dalot recovered to clear the danger. Mikautadze later outmanoeuvred Dalot to deliver a cross, but again, Lyon’s attack was thwarted, highlighting United’s right flank vulnerability.

Manchester United often adopted a defensive setup, with six or seven players in defence due to Lyon’s pressure. During a rare venture into Lyon’s half, Patrick Dorgu passed to Rasmus Højlund, but his weak attempt resulted in a goal-kick for Lyon.

Fernandes displayed greater finesse when combining with Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho on the right. Garnacho found his captain in the box, and Fernandes shot towards goal, forcing Perri to tip the ball over the bar.

Onana’s First Error: Almada’s Free-Kick

Onana’s first significant error soon followed. Almada’s left-wing free-kick was floated into the area of uncertainty, testing Onana’s decision-making on whether to intercept the ball.

Onana opted to stay on his line, and the ball bounced awkwardly in front of him. In desperation, his attempted save only deflected the ball into the net.

The crowd responded with loud derision, further unsettling Manchester United, exemplified by Dalot’s mistimed tackle on Nicolás Tagliafico, resulting in a yellow card from referee Glenn Nyberg.

First Half Conclusion and Yoro’s Equaliser

The visiting team needed composure, but during their subsequent attack, Garnacho’s shot was collected by the Lyon defence. Nevertheless, as they headed into halftime, the score was level. Fernandes’s free-kick was punched out by Perri, directly to Manuel Ugarte, whose volley was then headed into the net by Yoro.

Second Half Dynamics

Opportunities were limited and crucial to capitalise on, as Lyon consistently posed a threat to Manchester United’s defence. Once again, Mikautadze advanced down the left and crossed the ball in for Alexandre Lacazette, who had just replaced Paul Akouokou. However, Lacazette’s volley was miscued, allowing United to escape conceding again.

Despite the uninspiring nature of the match, the crowd remained animated.

Yoro, aiming for his second goal for United, initiated a dribbling run from the left flank but concluded with a shot that was easily categorised as overly ambitious.

In the 62nd minute, Ruben Amorim substituted Højlund with Zirkzee, concluding another challenging night for Højlund.

Perhaps influenced by Amorim’s direct approach, Tolisso, after skillful footwork created an opportunity, directed a weak shot straight into Onana’s hands. However, the game then progressed towards its dramatic conclusion.

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