The statistics of Memphis Depay in the Olympico (1 goal, 0 assist) are not crazy. OL’s current top scorer (14) and passer (7) probably did not have sufficient surface area. Since joining the Rhone club four years ago, they have only had two tenure in seven appearances (in addition to two forfeits for injury) against Olympique de Marseille.
OM were the first opponents that the former Manchester United player faced on his debut in Ligue 1. On January 22, 2017, Bruno Genesio threw him for ten minutes on the lawn of Groupama Stadium, replacing by Mathieu Valbuena, first scorer of a success to which Alexandre Lacazette also contributed by signing a double (3-1).
Since this victorious entry, Memphis has never lost in the league against the Marseille team (5 wins, 1 draw). If he experienced defeat in the Coupe de France (2-1 after extra time, January 31, 2017) in his third game in his new colors, the Netherlands striker, injured in the right thigh, was not the failure of the last trip to the Vélodrome (2-1, November 10, 2019).
Substitute in the first leg
This season, he was on the bench in the first leg (1-1, October 4, 2020). We were a few hours away from the exceptionally late closing of the summer transfer window. A transfer to Barça can still be recorded, Rudi Garcia had preferred to do without the services of Memphis for a good part of the meeting (he came into play in the 69 e ).
While a (free) departure from Lyon – except for a surprise extension – is looming next June, the Dutchman is therefore preparing to experience his last Olympico, this Sunday evening. In full swing (4 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 matches), the Batavian returns to the land of one of his finest exploits in Lyon, his only against Marseille.
On March 18, 2018, Memphis, a substitute at kickoff, had air conditioned the Vélodrome in stoppage time, after dominating Rolando with a header and lobbing Steve Mandanda.
This victory in extremis (2-3) had relaunched the race for the Champions League eight days from the end. Sunday night, OL would need a new boost of its phenomenon.
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