During the first day of the Top 14, Lyon Olympique Universitaire (LOU) made a sensational debut by winning against Montpellier with a score of 26 to 22. This victory, obtained away at the GGL Stadium, was driven by an exceptional performance from the Couilloud-Berdeu hinge. Let’s look back at this captivating meeting and the key elements that allowed LOU to shine.
A remarkable performance from the Couilloud-Berdeu hinge
Baptiste Couilloud And Leo Berdeu were the architects of this Lyon victory. From the kick-off, their management of the game and their tactical decisions proved decisive. Couilloud, with his keen vision and his precise passes, knew how to perfectly orchestrate the offensive phases, while Berdeu, with his precise kicks, kept the pressure on the Montpellier defense.
A successful start to the season for LOU
This victory marks a promising start to the season for LOU, who could not have dreamed of a better start to this demanding championship. Winning away from home, especially against a tough team like Montpellier, proves the intensive preparation and iron mentality of the Lyon players. This 26-22 victory sets the tone for the rest of the season.
The difficult context for Montpellier
Opposite, Montpellier was going through a tumultuous period before this meeting, with nine defeats in the last twelve matches and a dismal thirteenth place in the standings. The recent dismissal of their coach added to their instability, making this meeting a real test of resilience. Nevertheless, despite this difficult context, Montpellier did not disparage and delivered an honorable performance.
A match full of decisive actions
The match was punctuated by many spectacular actions. The tries on both sides, the interceptions and the counterattacks kept the spectators present at the GGL Stadium in suspense. Among the notable moments, Couilloud’s dazzling breakthrough in the 65th minute and Berdeu’s saving try in the final minutes crystallized Lyon’s hopes and sealed their victory.
Post-match reactions
At the end of the match, the president of LOU, Yann Roubert, praised the performance of his players, expressing his satisfaction and optimism for the rest of the season. The coach, Fabien Gengenbacher, for his part stressed the importance of maintaining this dynamic and continuing to work hard to achieve the objectives set.
On the Montpellier side, the feeling was more mixed. Despite the defeat, some players preferred to retain the positive and focus on the necessary adjustments for the next meetings. The new playing framework and the strategies put in place by the team will still need to be refined to hope for a rebirth in this championship.