The quarter-final return of Ligue Europa between Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester United was marked by a dramatic turning point, illustrating both the courage and flaws of the Lyon team. After a hard first half and a two-goal delay at half-time, OL posted a remarkable boost, equalizing the score and even taking the lead with a goal from Coretin Tolisso. The latter, as captain and emblematic figure of the team, embodied this hope, offering a breath of fresh air in an initially dark match. However, this encouraging performance was abruptly interrupted by his expulsion, one minute from the end of the regulatory time, leaving the team in numerical inferiority.

The expulsion of Coretin Tolisso, resulting from a series of physical and mental altercations with Bruno Fernandes, plunged the player into a deep sense of responsibility. Despite the positive impact of his goal, he acknowledged that his act had compromised the chances of qualifying Olympique Lyonnais. The incident, aggravated by a questionable intervention by Leny Yoro and the arbitrator’s prompt decision, left the captain visibly affected, expressing a bitter disappointment at the loss of control and the consequences on the collective. He admits that in a scenario where the team could have kept its full workforce, the result could have been different.

Despite the pain of this elimination, Coretin Tolisso shows a determination to transform this event into a source of motivation. Olympique Lyonnais has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to overcome difficulties, and the captain is committed to learning from this bitter experience. He is aware that the path of reconstruction requires resilience and a fighting spirit, and he aspires to see the team bounce back, with this painful lesson and ready to face future challenges with renewed determination.