Peter Bosz feels Lucas Paqueta ‘showed all his qualities’ as the reported Arsenal transfer target scored the only goal as Lyon beat Porto during their Europa League last 16 first-leg.
Lyon travelled to the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday night to begin their knockout stage campaign. Les Gones had topped their group above Rangers as one of four unbeaten sides earlier this season. While Porto dropped into the competition from the Champions League.
Paqueta pulled the strings for his Ligue 1 outfit in Portugal before breaking the deadlock in the 59th-minute. The Brazilian steered a low drive into the bottom corner of Diogo Costa’s net. The offside flag then saved Porto’s blushes, but for a VAR review to overturn the call.
The VAR was again on Lyon’s side moments later when Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez gave a penalty against Paqueta. He then reverted his on-field decision after reviewing the incident at the pitchside screen showed the ball bouncing up off the midfielder’s knee onto his arm.
Bosz claims Arsenal target Paqueta ‘showed all his qualities’ as Lyon beat Porto
Paqueta thrilled his manager, Bosz, with the Lyon star and Arsenal transfer target’s display at Porto in the Europa League. Les Gones’ trip to Portugal came days after Calciomercato cited the Gunners and Paris Saint-Germain as potential suitors for the 24-year-old maestro.
“Now Porto know that we have a good team,” Bosz said, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB. “Paqueta showed all his qualities tonight and did really well tonight.”
Arsenal and PSG may face competition from Newcastle for a transfer with Lyon for Paqueta this summer. Foot Mercato noted in December the Toon offered the 29-cap international a €850k-a-month (£178k-a/w) deal. Le10 Sport also noted they offered Lyon €40m (£33.5m).
Newcastle could have improved their initial bid, too, but Lyon refused to do business in the mid-season sales. Paqueta wanted to remain at the Groupama Stadium and is happy at the club. Lyon will be happy, as well, with his goal at Porto his ninth of the term after 31 games.
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