Moussa Niakhate: Lyon defender urges calm after Marseille loss

Senegal defender Moussa Niakhate has urged the Olympique Lyon squad to put behind last Sunday’s defeat at Olympique Marseille behind them and forge ahead.

Lyon allowed the chance to strengthen their position in third slip at the Stade Orange Velodrome after suffering a 3-2 loss.

Niakhate played six matches as Senegal won AFCON

Lyon shot ahead through Corentin Tolisso and Remi Himbert before Marseille fought back to claim all three points through Igor Paixao and Pierre Aubameyang’s late brace.

Moussa Niakhaté says that, there is no need to allow the deal to destabilize the squad.

“They played with incredible intensity because they needed to win to stay up. Habib Bèye asked them to play with high intensity, and that was to be expected.

“Not getting any points after the match we played is very difficult. We could have done better because we had several scoring opportunities (…) By losing, we’ve put the suspense back into Ligue 1 because Lille, Rennes, and other teams have won.

“That’s good for the pundits, but we’ll take responsibility,” he told Ligue 1+.

Lyon remains in third place on 45 points, two points ahead of Marseille and five ahead of Lille and Rennes after 24 matches played this campaign.

Niakhate, 29, played six matches as Senegal defied the odds to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a second for the Teranga Lions.

Moussa Niakhate Urges Lyon To Stay Calm After Marseille Defeat

Senegal international Moussa Niakhate has called on Olympique Lyon players to remain calm and focused following their disappointing defeat to rivals Olympique Marseille last weekend. The Lyon defender believes the team must quickly move past the result and concentrate on the remaining matches of the Ligue 1 season.

Lyon suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at the Stade Orange Velodrome, missing a valuable opportunity to strengthen their position in the race for the top three. Despite taking an early lead, Lyon were unable to hold on as Marseille staged a late comeback to claim all three points in front of their home supporters.

The match initially looked promising for Lyon as they started strongly and took control in the first half. Goals from Corentin Tolisso and Remi Himbert gave the visitors confidence and placed Marseille under pressure. Lyon’s attacking play created several chances that could have extended their advantage further.

However, Marseille responded with determination in the second half. The hosts increased the tempo of the game and forced Lyon’s defense to work harder. Their persistence eventually paid off when Igor Paixao reduced the deficit, setting up a dramatic finish to the encounter.

Late in the match, experienced striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang delivered a decisive performance by scoring twice, completing Marseille’s comeback and sealing a memorable victory for the home side.

Following the match, Moussa Niakhate admitted the defeat was frustrating but insisted that Lyon should not allow the loss to affect their confidence moving forward.

According to Niakhate, Marseille approached the match with exceptional energy and urgency because of their situation in the league standings.

“They played with incredible intensity because they needed to win to stay up,” Niakhate explained. “Habib Bèye asked them to play with high intensity, and that was to be expected.”

The Senegalese defender also acknowledged that Lyon had several chances to secure the match but failed to capitalize on them.

“Not getting any points after the match we played is very difficult. We could have done better because we had several scoring opportunities.”

Despite the disappointment, Niakhate emphasized that the team must take responsibility and quickly move forward.

“By losing, we’ve put the suspense back into Ligue 1 because Lille, Rennes, and other teams have won. That’s good for the pundits, but we’ll take responsibility.”

Even after the loss, Lyon still occupies third place in the Ligue 1 standings with 45 points after 24 matches. The competition for the top positions remains extremely tight, with Marseille only two points behind Lyon and both Lille and Rennes trailing by five points.

The close gap between these teams means that every match in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining which clubs secure European qualification spots.

For Moussa Niakhate, the focus now is on maintaining unity and determination within the squad as they push for a strong finish to the season.

The 29-year-old defender has also enjoyed significant success at the international level recently. Niakhate played an important role for Senegal as the Teranga Lions won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, defeating tournament hosts Morocco 1-0 in the final.

During Senegal’s successful AFCON campaign, Niakhate featured in six matches, providing defensive stability and leadership for the national team. The victory marked Senegal’s second AFCON title, further strengthening their reputation as one of Africa’s strongest football nations.

With both club and international experience on his side, Moussa Niakhate remains an important figure in Lyon’s defensive lineup. As the Ligue 1 season progresses, Lyon will rely on his leadership and composure to help guide the team through a challenging race for the top positions.

The upcoming fixtures will test Lyon’s resilience, but Niakhate believes the squad has the quality and mentality to bounce back quickly and continue competing at the highest level.