Endrick endures difficult night as Lyon fall to Strasbourg despite prolific start as the Brazilian teenager is rated 2/10 after quiet display in 3-1 defeat
For weeks, Endrick’s arrival at Lyon – on loan from Real Madrid – has felt like the beginning of something electric. On Sunday night at Stade de la Meinau, however, the 19-year-old was reminded how quickly momentum can stall in Ligue 1.
Lyon were beaten 3-1 by Strasbourg in a performance that never truly found rhythm. While the collective display disappointed, much of the post-match attention centred on Endrick for his absence from the game’s decisive moments.
Statistically, it was a harsh evening. He managed just 31 touches, lost possession 15 times and was handed a 2/10 rating by L’Equipe, the lowest of his career to date. The contrast with his opening weeks in France could hardly have been sharper.
Since his loan switch from Real Madrid to Lyon, Endrick had justified the hype surrounding him.
Five goals in seven matches across all competitions, including a hat-trick and an assist in his first four outings, established him as Lyon’s most explosive attacking threat.
His sharp movement and clinical finishing quickly energised the squad and the supporters. Against Strasbourg, though, the spark never ignited.
Deployed on the right wing rather than centrally, Endrick struggled to influence the tempo. Strasbourg’s high pressing and aggressive transitions limited his space, forcing him wide and away from dangerous areas.
Suggested Articles
The Brazilian forward looked disconnected from the flow of play, particularly during a first half in which Lyon were second best across the pitch.
Strasbourg’s intensity set the tone early. The home side’s pace and physical edge unsettled Lyon, who failed to match their urgency and by halftime, the visitors were already chasing the game.
Fonseca urges perspective after setback
Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca resisted the temptation to single out his young forward in his post-match assessment.
“I don’t want to single anyone out. I think that, overall, the players didn’t play well. I’m going to talk to Endrick about what he needs to improve, what he needs to do to find solutions in these situations.
“But that’s what I usually do after every game. The players performed at a similar level, a level different from what we had been showing so far,” he said after the defeat.
“We shouldn’t dramatise it. Congratulations to Strasbourg, they were better than us, they deserved the victory, especially in the first half. They played with a different intensity, aggressiveness, and speed.
“For me, it’s easy to explain: they played a better game than us. That’s football. We try to do things well. Today, we played against a great team, with good players who played better than us.”
Fonseca’s comments framed the defeat as a collective failure rather than an individual one. Lyon, after all, had shown promising form in recent weeks. Sunday’s result appeared more like a sharp dip than a structural concern.