Striker says afterwards he is "very happy" at Lyon
Sunday 14 August 2016 21:53, UK
Alexandre Lacazette scored a hat-trick as Lyon started their Ligue 1 season with a 3-0 win at newly-promoted Nancy on Sunday.
Lacazette, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League as well as Paris Saint-Germain this summer, fired Lyon ahead on 33 minutes at the Stade Marcel Picot before adding a second just before half-time.
The 25-year-old then completed his treble in stoppage time as Lyon made a promising start in their quest to end PSG's four-year reign at the top in France.
Lacazette said afterwards that he is "very happy" at Lyon.
Nice opened with a 1-0 victory at home to Rennes as emotional tributes were paid to the 85 people killed in last month's terror attack.
Teenage debutant Malang Sarr's second-half header ensured a winning start for new coach Lucien Favre, but the atmosphere was sombre at the Allianz Riviera just a month after the southern French city was rocked by the July 14 attack.
Both teams wore a commemorative kit with the names of the victims printed on the front in the shape of a heart, while 85 balloons were released in the centre circle before a minute's silence was observed prior to kick-off.
Sarr, 17, secured the victory for the hosts as he nodded in Jean Michael Seri's free-kick in the 60th minute, although Rennes nearly snatched a point in stoppage time when Adama Diakhaby rattled the crossbar from a corner.
The kits worn by the players were set to be auctioned off after the match, with the proceeds going to the victims' families.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Marseille were held to a goalless draw at home by Toulouse.
The nearest Marseille came to scoring was when a swift 25th-minute break out ended with Florian Thauvin setting up Remy Cabella with a back heel.
But Cabella poked the ball against a post and summer signing Bafetimbi Gomis was thwarted twice in two second-half minutes by Alban Lafont in the Toulouse goal.
