Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem was an unused substitute as FC Nantes suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to Olympique Lyonnais in their French Ligue 1 meeting at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday. The Nigerian international watched the full match from the bench as Nantes missed several chances to level.
Lyon’s decisive goal came in the 35th minute through Pavel Šulc, giving the visitors maximum points in a tight contest.
The only goal of the game arrived before halftime, with Šulc’s strike enough to separate the sides in a match characterised by limited clear cut chances. Nantes pushed forward but could not find the breakthrough they needed.
Lyon, despite being reduced to ten men in the second half after Brazilian forward Endrick was sent off, defended resolutely to preserve their lead and see out the victory.
Awaziem has been a regular feature for Nantes this season, making 17 appearances and scoring once, but was left out of the action in this match as coach opted for a different defensive setup.
Nantes hit the woodwork multiple times during the game and created pressure late on, but their efforts were not enough to overturn Lyon’s lead.
Editorial
For Chidozie Awaziem, remaining on the bench in a close Ligue 1 encounter like this highlights the fine margins of squad selection in top flight European football. Coaches are often forced to make tactical decisions based on form, fitness and opposition threats, and in this instance, Nantes’ manager chose to deploy a defensive unit without the Super Eagles centre-back.
Nantes will rue missed opportunities as they continue to battle for better positioning in the table. Narrow losses like this one not only make the difference between points gained and points lost, but also test the squad’s depth especially when key players like Awaziem are not involved on match day. However, his ability to contribute in past matches, including moments of leadership and key defensive actions, remains important for the club’s long-term efforts.
Lyon’s win also underlines their resilience — securing victory while down to ten men demonstrates tactical discipline and hunger for results that could be significant in the French top flight’s competitive landscape.
Did You Know?
- Chidozie Awaziem was an unused substitute as FC Nantes lost 1–0 to Lyon in Ligue 1.
- The only goal of the match was scored by Pavel Šulc shortly before halftime.
- Lyon finished the game with ten men after Endrick received a straight red card.
- Awaziem has made 17 appearances and scored once for Nantes this Ligue 1 season.
- The victory keeps Lyon’s momentum going as they compete for higher league placement.
