For his century of matches for Lyon, Rayan Cherki made sure to mark the occasion with a performance that proved instrumental in his side’s win over Monaco on Friday night.
The 19-year-old sprung to life in the second half and, alongside fellow academy graduate Alexandre Lacazette, led the way in sealing a 3-1 comeback win that has kept the team’s hopes of qualifying for European competition alive.
The highlight of the match will have been his role in Les Gones‘ second goal, with the French youth international receiving the ball on the edge of the box from Maxence Caqueret, beating the Monaco defender with a roulette, before attempting an outside-of-the-boot finish one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Although Alexander Nübel would parry the effort, Caqueret was on hand to finish off the chance, handing the move the goal it deserved. Cherki would then seal the win 15 minutes later with a curled finish from a tight angle.
Speaking after the match- as reported by L’Équipe, the attacking midfielder explained that on the second goal, it was his instinct that took over:
“In the box, it’s a different Rayan that comes to the fore. I’m dribbling, it’s all happening quickly. It’s madness that took over. I don’t know whether I should go right, or left, or in the middle. It’s all instinct.”
“[On reaching 100 games] It’s gone by so quickly. I’ve already come some way with my formative club.”
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
