Three to Watch: Lyon look to leaders as they bid to preserve advantage

Roma host Olympique Lyon at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening.

The Giallorossi managed to score twice in the first leg, but succumbed to four goals from a determined Lyon to leave themselves with a huge task ahead of the second leg.

Les Gones have now scored a remarkable 25 times in their last six encounters, but Luciano Spalletti is granted a helping hand with the return from suspension of Antonio Rudiger - while three players also overcame injury concerns to make the matchday squad.

Roma will be determined for a comeback as they have never lost against a French team on home soil, and Lyon have only won once in their last six away matches.

While it was Alexandre Lacazette who stole the show in stoppage time to give his side the advantage for Europa League glory, our columnist believes these three players will also play a key role in this second leg last-16 battle…

Maxime Gonalons

One of the highest rated defensive-midfielders in Europe, Lyon’s captain was born in the outskirts of the city and has played his entire professional career with the club.

Leading the Europa League with six tackles made, Gonalons is well-rounded in his defensive duties, also having completed three interceptions per match.

Furthermore, the France international has been instrumental in his side’s pressing attack by achieving a 91% pass completion rate on top of a goal, assist, and 18 scoring opportunities. With 74% being forward passes, Gonalons’ qualities have helped Lyon maintain possession and move play forward.

Deep pressing long balls are a key-component of his play, which has helped initiate the attack from deeper positions, giving Lyon a multi-dimensional point of attack.

While the star-studded attack often steals the headlines, it’s worth considering their play’s point of initiation.

Christophe Jallet

In his third year for Lyon, the 33-year-old provides the necessary experience for an otherwise youthful squad.

Noted by Carlo Ancelotti as “always focused, dynamic,” and “professional,” the right-back adds stability and a sense of calmness to his backline.

In the 4-0 thumping of Toulouse over the weekend, Jallet converted a goal and created an assist, proving he is more than just a veteran at the back.

With Roma needing to score to advance, he will be sure to have a busy match against Mohamed Salah will test his limits.

Nabil Fekir

Having entered the first leg in the 71st minute, it was just 180 seconds later that the substitute scored to give his side the go-ahead goal in the first leg. In under a half-hour of play, Fekir was also able to complete two dribbles and take three shots.

The 23-year-old French international now has ten goals and five assists between Ligue 1 and the Europa League, and is averaging more than five shots per game within the tournament - impressive stuff considering his relatively recent return from serious injury.

A forward with undeniable potential, he was voted the 2015 Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year. Capable playing in a variety of attacking positions, he also spent part of his youth and entire professional career with his native Lyon.

It was Fekir’s tidy first-touch and tidy dribbling that allowed him to drive his left-foot shot into net – a moment which will surely provide him with an extra bit of confidence when playing in Rome.