Lyon coach lauds 'importance of Lacazette' as returning striker nets in win over Ajaccio

Tete opens scoring before Lacazette scores penalty for his 101st Lyon goal in 2-1 win

Lyon's French forward Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2-1 win over Ajaccio at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France, on August 5, 2022. AFP

Lyon's French forward Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after scoring his team's second goal from the penalty spot. AFP

Lyon's French forward Alexandre Lacazette kicks to score his team's second goal on a penalty during the French Ligue 1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Ajaccio at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France, on August 5, 2022. (Photo by JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK / AFP)

Ajaccio's French defender Oumar Gonzalez and Lyon's French forward Alexandre Lacazette fight for the ball. AFP

Ajaccio's Ivorian defender Ismael Diallo and Lyon's Brazilian forward Tete fight for the ball. AFP

Lyon's Brazilian forward Tete scores his team's first goal. AFP

Ajaccio's French midfielder Yanis Cimignani fights for the ball with Lyon's French midfielder Corentin Tolisso. AFP

Lyon's Brazilian midfielder Thiago Mendes (front) fights for the ball with Ajaccio's Congolese forward Bevic Moussiti-Oko. AFP

Lyon's Cameroonian forward Karl Toko Ekambi fights for the ball with Ajaccio's French forward Mounaim El Idrissy. AFP

Lyon's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta fights for the ball with Ajaccio's French midfielder Thomas Mangani. AFP

Alexandre Lacazette marked his return to Lyon with what proved the winning goal as the hosts edged promoted Ajaccio 2-1 in a hard-fought Ligue 1 opener on Friday in which both teams finished the match with 10 men.

Former France international Lacazette rejoined on a free transfer this summer five years after he signed for English side Arsenal in a then club record fee of £46.5 million ($58 million) deal.

The 31-year-old striker, who signed a three year contract with the club where he made his name after coming through the youth system, scored from the penalty spot after 21 minutes.

Lacazette also played a role in the opener sending through a cross from Johann Lepenant for Brazilian Tete to score after 11 minutes.

Former Shakhtar Donetsk striker Tete, who joined Lyon after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, then won the penalty from a Cedric Avinel foul.

That allowed Lacazette to make it 2-0 for his 101st goal with Lyon 10 minutes later.

But Lyon struggled in defence with goalkeeper Anthony Lopes sent off following a foul on Mounaim El Idrissy in the penalty area at the half-hour mark.

Thomas Mangani pulled one back for the visitors, firing in the resulting penalty past substitute goalkeeper Remy Riou.

"We had to win the first game at home," said Lyon coach Peter Bosz. "We could see the importance of Alexandre Lacazette, the respect of the opponent for him, the support of the fans are a good thing, but he can do better.

"We were leading 2-0 after twenty minutes playing well. The sending off after thirty minutes changed a lot of things. Luckily they also got a red card which helped us."

Ajaccio's Romain Hamouma was sent off just before the break after picking up a second yellow card for a hand in the face of Lucas Paqueta.