Player Fluffs His UEFA Lines: A Night to Forget for Saïd Benrahma After West Ham Exit
In a disheartening turn of events for Saïd Benrahma, Thursday evening’s UEFA Europa League match marked a significant low point in his burgeoning career following his departure from West Ham United. The once-promising star, now 29, made headlines this summer when he permanently joined Olympique Lyonnais after an initial loan spell that began in January. The French club exercised their purchase option, securing Benrahma for approximately €20 million, a figure that included the initial loan fee sent to West Ham.
However, despite the optimism surrounding his move, Benrahma’s performance against Besiktas at Lyon’s home ground was nothing short of a disaster. In a game that many anticipated could showcase his talents, Benrahma’s contributions instead became a point of contention and disappointment. Lyon ultimately succumbed to a 1-0 defeat, and it was evident that Benrahma was far from his best.
Statistics paint a particularly grim picture of his night. He unleashed a staggering eight shots, the highest of any player on the pitch, yet shockingly failed to hit the target even once. This kind of inefficiency in front of goal is especially glaring in a crucial European match, where every opportunity counts. Reports from Le Figaro were unforgiving, describing Benrahma as someone who “never made the right decisions in his shots,” a harsh indictment of his decision-making abilities under pressure.
Adding to his woes, L’Equipe, a well-regarded French sports newspaper, was equally critical, handing him a dismal rating of just 3 out of 10 for his performance. Such a low score reflects not only his inability to convert chances but also the overall impact he had on the game. His struggles were compounded by the lackluster performance of his fellow forward, former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, who also received the same 3/10 score from L’Equipe, highlighting that Benrahma was not alone in his failure to make an impression.
For a player of Benrahma’s caliber, known for his creativity and attacking prowess, this match was a stark reminder of the challenges that come with high expectations in the competitive arena of European football. As he continues to adapt to his new environment in Lyon, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching to see if he can bounce back from this disappointing outing and rediscover the form that made him a standout performer at West Ham.
With Lyon’s hopes in the competition now hanging in the balance, the pressure will be on Benrahma to turn things around in the coming matches. Only time will tell if this performance is merely a blip on the radar or a sign of deeper issues that need addressing as he seeks to solidify his place in the squad.