Lyon’s miserable season plunged into further chaos after a shocking 2–1 defeat to Toulouse on Sunday, October 5, 2025 — a result that has left supporters furious and one particular player at the center of intense online criticism. The aftermath of the match has seen fans take to social media in frustration, calling for several players to be dropped and demanding that one in particular “should never wear the Lyon shirt again.”
The post-match player ratings tell the story of yet another disjointed and uninspired performance. Goalkeeper Dávid Greif, who received a rating of 3.8, was far from convincing between the posts. While not entirely at fault for both goals, his hesitancy and poor command of the box frustrated supporters who expected more composure from the Slovak shot-stopper. Many fans lamented that his lack of authority in crucial moments allowed Toulouse to gain confidence early in the match.
At the back, things were even worse. The defense looked completely unorganized, conceding cheap chances and struggling to cope with Toulouse’s pressing. Ainsley Maitland-Niles endured a torrid evening on the right flank, rated just 3.2, the lowest among the backline. He was often caught out of position, leaving space behind him, and failed to track runners effectively — an issue fans repeatedly highlighted on social media. “He doesn’t even look like he wants to play,” one supporter wrote in exasperation.
Next to him, Cédric Mata and Moussa Niakhaté tried to stabilize the defense but ended up compounding the chaos. Mata, rated 3.4, was guilty of several poor clearances, while Niakhaté, who earned 3.7, showed moments of physical strength but also made costly errors in marking. Left-back Nicolás Tagliafico was arguably the only defender who tried to inject some fight, finishing with a 4.1 rating — the highest among the defenders — but even his determination wasn’t enough to stop the collapse.
In midfield, Lyon looked disjointed and overrun. Tanner Tessmann received a 3.8, struggling to impose himself in the center of the park, while Tyler Morton, rated 3.9, showed effort but little creativity. The midfield trio, including Corentin Tolisso (3.8) and Adam Karabec (3.8), failed to create meaningful chances, and the tempo of their passing was painfully slow. Fans expressed growing frustration that Tolisso, once a symbol of Lyon’s fighting spirit, now looks a shadow of his former self.
Further forward, Mohamed Fofana, who grabbed Lyon’s only goal, managed a respectable 4.0 rating, though his effort was overshadowed by what many supporters viewed as a lack of collective fight. Martín Satriano, leading the line, earned 3.9, but he was largely isolated and struggled to connect with the midfield.
However, the biggest talking point came after the final whistle — when one Lyon player reportedly reacted poorly to the defeat on social media, drawing outrage from fans. Screenshots quickly circulated online showing what many interpreted as a “disrespectful” or “careless” post given the team’s dire situation. By evening, hashtags calling for his removal from the squad were trending among Lyon supporters.
Fans’ comments ranged from disappointment to fury. “This is not just about one bad game; it’s about attitude,” wrote one fan. Another added, “If you can post that after such a disgraceful loss, you don’t deserve to play for Lyon again.”
Lyon’s supporters, already disillusioned by a series of poor performances this season, now seem to have reached a breaking point. The defeat to Toulouse leaves the club hovering dangerously close to the bottom half of the Ligue 1 table, and patience is wearing thin.
The club’s management is yet to comment publicly on the controversy, but pressure is mounting for internal action. What was once seen as a rebuilding season is quickly turning into a crisis, and the rift between players and fans appears to be growing wider by the week.
If Lyon are to recover from this latest humiliation, it will require more than tactical adjustments — it will require leadership, accountability, and perhaps, as fans have loudly demanded, some difficult decisions about who truly deserves to wear the shirt.
