Lyon draw late as slow Ligue 1 start continues

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:20 am

Lyon forward Moussa Dembele celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Amiens.
Lyon forward Moussa Dembele celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Amiens.
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Lyon's stuttering start to the Ligue 1 season continued when they conceded a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Amiens on Friday ahead of their Champions League debut, while Lille enjoyed a 2-1 home win over Angers.

Former Lyon player Mathieu Bodmer scored two minutes into stoppage time to rescue a point for Amiens after Moussa Dembele struck twice following Christophe Jallet's opener for the hosts, leaving Lyon in sixth place with eight points from five games.

Jallet put Amiens ahead after seven minutes with a free kick but two minutes later Dembele levelled with a cross-shot.

Dembele was on target again 11 minutes from the break when he deflected a Bertrand Traore cross into the net with his knee for his fifth goal of the season.

However, Bodmer equalised for Amiens with a low close-range shot, denting Lyon's confidence before they host Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Last season's runners-up Lille had earlier geared up for their clash at Ajax Amsterdam in Europe's elite club competition with a convincing victory against Angers.

Victor Osimhen and Luiz Araujo scored either side of halftime to secure the points as the northerners moved up to fourth in the standings on nine points from five games.

They trail leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who play Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes on Saturday when Neymar is expected to return, on goal difference.

Angers, who had reduced the arrears with a late Stephane Bahoken goal, are also on nine points in fifth place.