Real Sociedad travelled to Lyon for the first leg of their Champions League qualifier tonight, hoping to reach the group stages for the first time in 10 years.
The visitors started brightly and stunned Remi Garde's side to take the lead in some style after 18 minutes, thanks to an acrobatic volley from Antoine Griezmann against his former club.
Lyon were unable to respond and fell further behind after the break when Haris Seferovic hammered home from distance on the half-volley.
Look back at a terrific win on the road for Jagoba Arrasate's emerging side with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening European football fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole as we build towards what promises to be an intriguing Champions League qualifier, with exciting young sides Lyon and Real Sociedad vying for a place in the group stages.
Lyon are at home in tonight's first leg and go into the match full of confidence after a fine start in Ligue 1. Remi Garde's side lost Lisandro Lopez during the close season and have left Bafetimbi Gomis out in the cold, but nonetheless have taken maximum points from their first two league games.
Garde is building a young side full of attacking intent, with Yoann Gourcuff central to his plans. The French playmaker has flattered to deceive in recent seasons despite his obvious talent. A move to a wide left role has worked wonders in recent weeks though, seemingly reinvigorating the former AC Milan youngster.
Clement Grenier is another promising young player to emerge from the Lyon academy, attracting interest from Arsenal earlier this season. The 22-year-old is assured in possession and capable of picking out a killer pass in the final third, thriving at the Gerland in an advanced midfield position.
Alexandre Lacazette is another starlet to keep an eye on for the hosts this evening. The forward likes to drop off in wide areas and run at defenders with pace and purpose to deadly effect. Lacazette has scored three goals in two games so far this season, helping Lyon fans forget about Lopez and Gomis, for now at least.
Sociedad have a great deal in common with their opponents this evening, with a young emerging side that keep possession brilliantly and are fun to watch on the counter. Tonight's visitors finished fourth in La Liga last season, holding their nerve to pip Valencia on the final day of the campaign and earn this chance in Europe's premier club competition.
The Basque side lost brilliant coach Philippe Montanier in the summer, with the Frenchman deciding to return home and take charge of Rennes. Jagoba Arrasate has taken his place at the Anoeta, with the 35-year-old given a chance to prove himself with a talented squad and high expectations in La Liga.
Dynamic midfielder Asier Illarramendi swapped Sociedad for Real Madrid in a mega-money move during the close season, but the Spanish side have largely kept last season's successful squad together his departure aside. Swiss striker Haris Seferovic has arrived to take the goalscoring burden off Carlos Vela, while Esteban Granero joined in a loan switch from Queens Park Rangers last week.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! The starting XI's are in at the Stade Gerland and hold very few surprises from either side. Sociedad have recalled French winger Antoine Griezmann though to face his boyhood club. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
LYON: Lopes, M. Lopes, Bisevac, Fofana, Bedimo, Gonalons, Malbranque, Benzia, Grenier, Gourcuff, Lacazette
SOCIEDAD: Bravo, C.Martínez, Cadamuro, Inigo, De la Bella, Markel, Zurutuza, Xabi Prieto, Vela, Seferovic, Griezmann
La Real have made one significant change to the side that beat Getafe 2-0 in their La Liga opener last weekend, with Griezmann coming in for Gonzalo Castro out wide. The French wideman started his career at Les Gones but failed to make the grade, but has excelled since with Sociedad.
Seferovic continues in a lone front role for the visitors tonight, after scoring on his debut against Getafe. The Swiss forward gives Sociedad something different in attack this season, with the strength to hold up play and allow Vela and Griezmann to bomb forward in the final third. Expect that to be their play on the break this evening.
Lyon have resisted the temptation to change a winning team, with the same starting that beat Sochaux 3-1 last Friday retained. Lacazette will be supported in attack by Yassine Benzia, with Gourcuff playing in an advanced free role on the left wing.
Garde has also opted to prop up all that exciting attacking talent with considerable experience in central midfield. Maxime Gonalons will play alongside Steed Malbranque in that area, with the remit of breaking down attacks and allowing the hosts to control possession.
On paper both sides play similar systems, but with important differences. Sociedad normally opt for a rigid three in central midfield, led by captain Xabi Preto. Vela and Griezmann will stay high up the pitch on both flanks for the visitors, hoping to exploit space left by a pair of Lyon full-backs who like to get forward on the overlap.
Lyon have used a fluid 4-2-3-1 in recent weeks, with Grenier given responsibility for driving team forward in an advanced midfield role. Benzia and Gourcuff start on either flank but have the freedom to switch positions or cut inside, swapping with Lacazette to make the trio very difficult to mark at times.
Just time to look at some notable news on both benches this evening, with Lyon coach Garde resisting the temptation to include a fully-fit Gomis, who continues to be frozen out after missing out on a move to Newcastle United.
Sociedad subs: Zubikarai, Elustondo, Pardo, Ansotegi, Chory Castro, Ros, Barn
Lyon subs: Kone, Ferri, Danic, Umitti, Mvuemba, Bahlouli, Gorgelin
Sociedad midfielder Granero will make his debut for the visitors if he come on tonight, after sealing a season-long loan move from Queens Park Rangers last week. The Gerland is packed and waiting for the two teams to emerge, this promises to be an absolute cracker between two teams who love to attack with pace and purpose.
PREDICTION: Both teams are out to a raucous reception, which just gives me time to try and call a tight encounter. Lyon are two weeks into their campaign and I think that could just be enough to give the hosts an edge tonight, but Sociedad are more than capable of breaking to get a crucial away goal courtesy of Vela. I'll go for a 2-1 home win, with Gourcuff to continue his strong start to the campaign by finding the target.
Here we go then at the Gerland, with Sociedad getting the tie underway shooting from right to left, in a changed all-black strip. Lyon are quick to press their opponents and force a mistake, winning a throw-in near the corner flag which Bedimo will take.
Lyon have settled in possession quickly as Malbranque switches play quickly to find Miguel Lopes in space on the right flank. His cross is blocked behind, before taking a deflection off the Portuguese full-back to go behind for a goal kick.
Carlos Martinez bundles into the back of Gourcuff in a robust challenge, but gets the benefit of the doubt from the official. Lyon continue as Grenier looks for Lacazette over the top, with the young forward flagged offside by the linesman in a tight call.
Sociedad show intent on the counter for the first time, with Griezmann finding a clever run inside from Vela. The Mexican controls inside the penalty area and shoots under pressure from a tight angle, with his low effort going just wide of the target.
YELLOW CARD! Inigo Martinez gets an early caution and in truth can have little complaint with the decision. The central defender lunged into a challenge on Grenier without getting the ball, bringing the youngster down from behind and earning a caution for the rash tackle. From the free kick Gourcuff switches inside to Grenier, but his curling drive goes high over the crossbar.
OFF THE POST! Sociedad have just gone within inches of breaking the deadlock, as Vela's swift strike came back off the post. Lyon full-back Lopes was at fault, gifting Seferovic possession just outside the penalty area. He quickly found Vela in space with a pass inside, but his powerful drive flew beyond Anthony Lopes but came crashing back off the near post. Very unlucky!
De La Bella comes within inches of finding Seferovic inside as Sociedad launch another purposeful break down the left wing. Just before that counter Grenier shared a fierce exchange of views with the referee after he failed to award a foul on Benzia and may well have picked up a caution for his appeals.
GOAL! Lyon 0-1 Sociedad (Griezmann)
Sociedad have a lead they fully deserve thanks to an absolutely sensational strike from Antoine Griezmann, who scores against his boyhood club. The winger was picked out by a chip from Vela into the penalty area, adjusting his body to swing in the air and deliver an acrobatic volley. His strike married venom and accuracy in equal measure to find the corner, for a strike that has to be considered a goal-of-the-season contender even this early on. What a start for the visitors.
Lyon are stunned and second best to the ball all over the pitch, as Griezmann gets another shot on target from a tight angle. Lopes was equal to a low effort that may have been going wide, turning behind for a corner kick which flies clear of a packed penalty area.
SAVE! Finally a response from the hosts, who win a corner kick of their own thanks a burst from Lacazette down the right flank. Grenier's cross is easily cleared but the hosts are quick to recycle possession, with Gourcuff forcing Bravo to tip round his near post with a drilled effort from 20 yards.
Sociedad clear their lines from a corner and have men clear on the counter, but Griezmann fails to find Vela with a difficult pass across field on the turn. The Mexican had the freedom of Lyon's half to run into there if the delivery had been right, with the hosts wasting no time in driving forward to win another corner kick.
Lacazette rather speculatively appeals for a penalty after going down under a challenge from Martinez, but is quickly told to get to his feet by the referee, who was well placed. Definitely think there is more goals in this game, quite possibly at both ends.
Lyon are consistently losing out in central midfield, despite Benzia regularly dropping inside to assist when the hosts are without possession.
Lopes bombs forward again from right-back, ending up in the penalty area after exchanging passes with Grenier and Lacazette. He eventually finds enough room to strike at goal from a tight angle, with his speculative chip clearing Bravo's crossbar by at least three yards.
YELLOW CARD! Bisevac goes into the book for a cynical challenge on Vela, after blatantly bringing down the forward without getting the ball near the corner flag. A needless piece of poor defending form the Serb, who gifts Sociedad a dangerous free kick as a result.
Griezmann's free kick is repelled by the head of Gourcuff, who stood tall in the wall to block a curling cross. Lyon quickly lose possession again after advancing upfield, allowing Sociedad to regroup as Martinez stings the palms of Lopes with a drive from distance.
YELLOW CARD! Lopes quickly joins Bisevac in the book after a forceful lunge on De La Bella, who lets out an audible cry as he hits the ground near the corner flag. Lyon need to be careful of persistent fouling here, as they concede another set-piece opportunity just before the break.
Last chance for Lyon to grab an equaliser before the break as De La Bella concedes a free kick out wide. Grenier goes across to take, sending a low cross into the penalty area that is half-cleared by Vela at the second time of asking. Gourcuff then throws himself to the ground outside the box, but gets up sheepishly without winning a free kick.
HALF-TIME Lyon 0-1 Sociedad
Well that was quite a first-half performance from Sociedad, who attacked with purpose and stunned the visitors to lead at the break. The goal was something to savour for Griezmann, who smashed in a scissor kick against his boyhood club that deserves to mentioned as a contender for goal of the season, even in August!
Lyon have looked sluggish without possession, while rarely threatening with the ball as they struggle to break down an organised, cohesive Sociedad unit that defends from the front. Garde needs some strong words at the break, particularly with his midfield who have been bypassed for much of the first period.
Sociedad's young wingers have been magnificent so far, using quick movement in the final third to find space with alarming regularity. Vela is starting to look like the terrific player Arsenal thought they'd found as a teenager, showing an assured touch on the ball to regularly evade his marker and contribute in the penalty area.
Against his former club Griezmann was also nothing short of sensational in the first 45 minutes, with a highlight-reel finish you will be seeing again for some time to match. The challenge now for Sociedad is press home their early advantage, ahead of next week's second leg at the Anoeta.
Lyon may well turn to their bench for inspiration if an equaliser proves difficult to find, so let's have a look at their options. Fares Bahlouli is a young attacking midfielder capable of having an impact in the closing stages, while Arnold Mvuemba is more powerful option than Malbranque or Gonalons in the centre of midfield.
No changes for either side at the break as Lyon get the second half underway. The hosts are straight on the attack as Bedimo overlaps down the left wing, with Cadamuro just cutting out his cross at the near post.
Gonalons climbs highest to meet a corner kick inside the penalty area, but his header under pressure fails to test Bravo and bounces clear of the near post. A half-chance there for Lyon, who have started the second half brightly.
GOAL! Lyon 0-2 Sociedad (Seferovic)
A quite outrageous strike from Seferovic has doubled Sociedad's advantage, with another stunning goal to rival Griezmann's opener. The Swiss striker let fly on the half volley from around 30 yards, sending a dipping drive towards goal. Lyon goalkeeper Lopes is totally deceived by the swirling effort and can only get a late hand on the ball, diverting it just inside the corner. What a hit and the Spanish side are now in complete control of the tie.
Gourcuff and Malbranque get crowded out just outside the penalty area after both turning down the chance to shoot. Lyon are readying replacements on the bench in an effort to respond.
SUBSTITUTIONS: A double change for Lyon as Garde decides to freshen things up in midfield. Malbranque has looked off the pace and comes off for Behlouli, while Danic has replaced Benzia. Action at both ends when play resumes, with Lacazette and Seferovic both denied by last-ditch tackles at either end in quick succession.
Lyon win the ball from Zurutuza as Gourcuff roams into the final third, switching play but taking too long as Sociedad shuffle back to defend in numbers. Gonalons eventually loses patience and shoots from range, driving at least a full five yards wide of the target.
SUBSTITUTION: Sociedad are keen to protect what they have and make a conservative first change. The superb Seferovic has been replaced by Esteban Granero, who comes on to make his debut for the visitors. The swap should see Vela pushed inside, with Granero sitting in behind to help the visitors keep possession.
OFF THE BAR! Bedimo goes beyond Griezmann to win a corner kick down the left flank with a fine forward burst. From the corner Grenier's delivery finds Gonalons, who from four yards sees his looping header come back off the crossbar. The hosts have just spurned by far their strongest opening of the match.
SUBSTITUTION: Zurutuza gets booked the hosts for a cynical tug on Gourcuff's shirt, with the break in play allowing Sociedad to make a second change. Griezmann leaves the field to a standing ovation from the away supporters, rightfully so after that breathtaking strike in the first half. Gonzalo Castro is on for the visitors, but offers a very similar creative threat out wide.
SAVE! Lyon win successive corners and find Bisevac unmarked with the second, but his free header is disrupted by a dart across goal from Fofana and falls wide. The home side are now dominating as Lopes races onto a miskick from Martinez, but Bravo is quick off his line to make a strong save.
RED CARD! Bisevac has been given his marching orders for a soft second yellow card, but was a fraction late in his challenge just outside the penalty area. Sociedad now have a man advantage and a free kick inches outside the box, which on reflection could have quite easily been a spot kick.
Granero curls the free kick towards goal but his effort stays central enough for Lopes to parry clear at the second time of asking. Lyon will play with 10 men in the closing stages and are once again angry with the referee as Lacazette tries to win a cheap penalty kick after tussling with Martinez inside the box, but nothing given.
YELLOW CARD! Xavi Prieto picks up a booking for diving inside the area, after throwing himself to ground after getting past Fofana to cut inside. The captain protests but was definitely guilty of simulation there.
SUBSTITUTION: Sociedad make their final change to offer fresh legs and a willing runner in midfield, with Ruben Prado replacing Zurutuza. Just under five minutes for the visitors to maintain what must look an almost unassailable advantage given their home form at the Anoeta, as Vela drives down the touchline with pace.
YELLOW CARD! Cadamuro goes into a challenge on Grenier late with studs showing and is rather fortunate to escape with just a caution. The foul gives Lyon a free kick from 30 yards, but Grenier's strike is wayward to say the least and goes out towards the corner flag.
CHANCE! Sociedad go within inches of a third goal as Ruben Pardo cuts inside with purpose. The midfielder sits the goalkeeper down and trickles a low shot towards the empty net, but his goal-bound strike is turned behind by a superb last-ditch clearance from Bedimo. Desperate stuff there from the 10 men, who are struggling to stay in touch late on.
FULL-TIME Lyon 0-2 Sociedad
Well you will have to go some way to find a more complete European away performance than the one on show from Sociedad tonight. The visitors were nothing short of superb at the Gerland, scoring two fantastic goals without reply to put them within touching distance of the Champions League group stages.
Antoine Griezmann's goal was a special way to break the deadlock, smashing home an acrobatic scissor kick. Haris Seferovic nearly topped that by hammering a volley in from range after the break, with a stunned Lyon now facing an uphill task to respond at the Anoeta next Wednesday.
That just about does it for out coverage from Northern France tonight. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to stay close for comprehensive coverage from across Europe this week. Goodnight!
