While Lyon, leader of its group in C3 after its successes against Glasgow Rangers (2-0) and Brondby (3-0), was in difficulty against Monaco on Saturday, the entry into play of Paqueta in the 66th minute has was decisive in the victory (2-0) for OL, with its involvement in both goals in Lyon.
However, Paqueta, 24, was initially not to participate in this meeting, after playing with Brazil on the night of Thursday to Friday against Uruguay, in Manaus (4-1).
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But his coach Peter Bosz had to give in at the insistence of his player.
“
I took a big risk because normally it is not possible to be able to chain like that.
42 hours earlier, he had played for sixty minutes with Brazil, before getting on the plane.
It's not a good preparation,
”said the OL coach after the match against Monaco.
“
I didn't want to bring him in but the team really needed him to bring his energy.
And he really wanted to play, even as a starter.
Fortunately, everything went well
, ”continued the Dutch technician.
His relief was tangible, because an injury to his Brazilian midfielder, which continues close matches, could be a bad blow for OL.
After Prague, Lyon will travel by L1 to Nice on Sunday, at 1:00 p.m.
Failure in Milan, worshiped in Lyon
With his four goals in L1, Paqueta is OL's co-top scorer with Karl Toko Ekambi and Moussa Dembélé. He is also one of the four players to have participated in all Lyon matches this season with Houssem Aouar, Maxence Caqueret and Toko Ekambi. "
He's a good player, he has a good technique, but also, and this is very important for a player, he has a winning mindset, he was on the plane, he absolutely wanted to help us," his entry was very important for us
”, repeated the Dutch technician at a press conference Thursday in Prague.
“
He is very positive, like what he posted when he came back from selection.
We are all aware of what he brings to the team, we are very proud to have him,
”added his teammate and OL captain, Léo Dubois.
Recruited a year ago by Olympique Lyonnais for a five-year contract and a transfer of 20 million euros, to AC Milan where he was in check, the player, previously acquired for 35 million EUR by the Lombard club with Flamengo, was followed by Juninho even before the latter returned to Lyon as sporting director in 2018.
And that's what made the difference to attract Paqueta, as the international Auriverde (26 caps, 5 goals) had confided when he arrived in the Rhône.
“
I saw him start and I saw very quickly that he had a profile for Lyon.
He is left-handed, technical, very versatile.
He knows how to use his physique.
He has a good head and the coach can use it in several positions,
”predicted the former OL icon by presenting his rookie on September 30, 2020.
Given the influence of Lucas Paqueta, OL are crossing their fingers so that injuries and other suspensions spare their jewel, not to mention the demands that are sure to come in the spring.
