PROFILE | Anthony Lopes trying to keep the Lyon ship afloat | OneFootball

Olympique Lyonnais have been scrutinised heavily in 2023 for their defensive frailties and inability to create any consistency in performances. This is understandable with the constant change and controversy generated off the pitch. However, this has meant they have struggled to consistently depend on anyone on the pitch too. This isn’t the case for Anthony Lopes.

Despite Lyon’s struggles, Anthony Lopes remains one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1 as he has done for several years since he became a first-team regular for his boyhood club in the 2013/14 season. The Portuguese international has not been able to regularly keep the ball out of his net across the calendar year conceding an average of 1.75 goals per 90 across 2023. However, in the big moments, the stopper is always there to help his team and plays a huge role within a young squad as a leader.

Lopes can be often criticised for being too rash in his decision-making when closing down onrushing opponents. This is possibly a fair criticism. Despite this, he is often the saviour for Lyon considering how open their defensive structure has been in 2023 and his speed off his line has prevented several heavy scorelines in matches where Lyon have been largely played off the park.

Lopes finishes 2023 with 74% save percentage

Lopes’ rashness isn’t always a blessing in disguise though and this can be seen with OL conceding more penalties than most teams in the domestic top-flight of France. Penalty saving is an area of the EURO 2016 winner’s game that has improved dramatically though and he has made amends on more than one occasion after giving away a cheap penalty. This was prevalent in Lyon’s second win of the 2023/24 season against Toulouse as he clattered into Suazo. Albeit, he would make amends instantly by denying Thijs Dallinga from the penalty spot.

Despite an increase in goals conceded in 2023, the Lyon academy graduate remains a good shot-stopper as he continues to face more shots than ever between the OL sticks. Lopes has averaged a save percentage of 74% across 2023.

A goalkeeper who defends his goal with passion would certainly be a way to describe Lyon’s stopper. As a local lad and someone who understands the club’s importance to the local community, Lopes will be seen as a crucial figure by fans of Les Gones in securing their top-flight status amind their ongoing relegation battle in 2024.

GFFN | Liam Wraith