The right-back had been harshly criticised following a shaky first leg in Prague, where his defensive frailties were exposed by Josimar Alcocer’s relentless dribbling. The hostility grew louder when his name was met with a chorus of jeers during the team lineup announcement at Groupama Stadium. With his contract expiring next summer and whispers of a potential exit growing louder, Maitland-Niles needed a redemption arc.

That redemption arrived in spectacular fashion. After receiving a yellow card for a reckless tackle in the 54th minute, the former Arsenal man stationed himself perfectly at the second post to meet Corentin Tolisso’s pinpoint cross. With Lyon playing with ten men following Jake O’Brien’s earlier dismissal, Maitland-Niles rose above the defence to head home the second goal, doubling the lead and effectively ending the tie. His composure under pressure and technical finish silenced even the most vocal sceptics in the stadium.