In the game, Racing 92 was not inferior to Lyon. But he paid for his indiscipline and was penalized five times with penalties from Léo Berdeu. Enough to allow LOU to win (20-14) this Saturday during the 24th day of the Top 14, at Gerland.
In the first period, Racing 92 lacked realism when concluding its highlights. Baptiste Couilloud, the top scorer in the Top 14, scored his fifteenth try of the season in the 21st minute (5-0). Léo Berdeu misses the transformation, but the LOU is launched.
Racing responds thanks to its opener, Martin Méliande, served by Nolann Le Garrec after the latter’s fixation on the Lyon forwards. Then the scrum half transforms and gives the Ile-de-France residents the advantage (5-7). But Léo Berdeu, who had missed the transformation on Lyonnais’ first try, found the target again. The 25-year-old opener continues the penalties (8-7 in the 36th, then 11-7 in the 40th). Before doing it again a few moments after leaving the locker room (14-7 in the 42nd, then 17-7 in the 47th). Racing’s lack of discipline allows LOU to take off.
Shortly after the hour mark, Nolann Le Garrec restarted Racing 92, finishing with a nice combination on the left side following a throw-in. The 22-year-old French international transformed the try and gave his team hope (17-14, 64th). Before Léo Berdeu breathes new life into the LOU, after yet another penalty conceded by the Ile-de-France residents (20-14, 68th).
At the very end of the match, the Racing players had the opportunity to come back by obtaining a penalty a few meters from the Lyon goal. They chose the melee, but their risk did not pay off. The LOU defense came out on a thin line, after the video referee checked that the Ile-de-France residents had not flattened. A victory which allows Lyon to ensure its maintenance.
After this defeat, the Racingmen are now sixth in the Top 14 after the victory of La Rochelle, which goes ahead, against Pau (25-23). Racing, which concedes its third consecutive defeat, after losing against Toulouse and Bayonne in the championship, is playing to scare itself and could miss the final stages, having a single point lead over the Pau Section two days from the end.
