Lyon confirmed their success against Crystal Palace with a 2-1 victory, while manager Paulo Fonseca expressed satisfaction with his staff's performance, while underlining the need to improve ball possession throughout the match.
Post-match Fonseca praised the team for the "extraordinary first half" which they managed with great control, especially in the attacking phase. He acknowledged the strong reaction from English Premier League side Crystal Palace and said they felt they were in control of the game. “My team has a strong desire to achieve a positive result,” he said, adding that despite the defensive pressure, the players showed courage and energy.
However, the coach also highlighted one point for improvement: ball possession. “I would have liked more ball possession throughout the match,” said Fonseca, referring to the fact that, although the team controlled the possession phase well, the amount of time they managed to keep the ball was insufficient. This observation was reported as a desire to optimize game management, especially at crucial moments.
The match was decided by the second goal conceded by Lyon, which made the situation more complex for the team. Despite this, Fonseca remained calm and praised the players for their skill and ability to withstand pressure. “We could have avoided the second goal, yet I remained calm the whole time,” he said, underlining the defensive solidity and offensive commitment.
With this victory, Lyon consolidates its position in the table, while Crystal Palace remains in a catching position. The coach closed the conference with an invitation to continue working on ball possession, highlighting that the team is ready to improve its performance in the next challenges. Lyon's next match is scheduled for next week, where the team will try to maintain the energy shown in this match.