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Played
February 14, 2012 7:45 PM GMT
Stade de Gerland — Lyon
Referee:‬ P. Tagliavento‎
Attendance:‬ 32010‎
 
Top of the Match
Michel Fernandes Bastos
Michel Fernandes Bastos
Olympique Lyonnais
Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette
Olympique Lyonnais
Flop of the Match
Ailton
Ailton
APOEL
Ailton
Ailton
APOEL

Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 APOEL: Deflected Lacazette strike breaks Cypriot resistance and gives Remi Garde's men slender advantage

The French outfit will travel to Cyprus boasting a narrow lead thanks to a strike from one of their young stars, in what was a closely-fought contest

By Robin Bairner

Olympique Lyonnais command a 1-0 lead over APOEL in their Champions League last 16 tie, following the first leg at Stade Gerland.

Lyon endured nearly an hour of frustration as they chipped away at the visiting defence without success until surprise starter Alexandre Lacazette cut in from the left wing and sent a deflected shot over Dionisis Chiotis and into the net.

APOEL’s threat as an attacking force was completely invisible, as they defended stoutly throughout, and it took them 88 minutes to muster any kind of shot at goal.

OL were doubtless prepared to face obstinate opponents, but their inability to break down a well-organised defence meant that long periods of the first half were dour, despite the hosts mustering a total of 13 shots without reply.

It took Remi Garde’s nearly 25 minutes to offer a genuine threat, with Michel Bastos’ shot from range deflected narrowly over the top. Lyon’s efforts were typically from outside the area, with the lively Lacazette drawing the best save of the opening period with a shot from the corner of the box that needed turned over by Chiotis five minutes from the interval.

After the break, the game did open up marginally, and this was to the advantage of the French outfit. Within a couple of minutes of the restart, Ederson had rounded the goalkeeper but was thwarted by Paulo Jorge, who slid back to deny the Brazil international on the line.

Lyon were just beginning to get frustrated when Lacazette sent a powerful shot into the net via Jorge’s boot, and immediately after they squandered a chance to go two up as Michel Bastos shot wide, having escaped behind the defence down his unfavoured right.

Keen to find a second goal to give them added insurance, the home side continued to threaten. Jimmy Briand, on for Lacazette, who departed immediately after his goal, crossed wonderfully for Ederson, though his header skimmed the post as it went wide.

Chances in the latter part of the match were relatively rare, though substitute Yoann Gourcuff did head a tricky chance off target from a Michel Bastos centre.

With only a couple of minutes remaining, the visitors finally managed their first shot at goal. Gustavo Manduca came off the bench and offered an effort from the edge of the box, but Hugo Lloris touched it over.

Neither side will be especially pleased nor disappointed with the 1-0 outcome, with both outfits doubtless feeling they still have a chance of qualification. It will be Lyon, though, who remain significant favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.


Olympique Lyonnais

1
Hugo Lloris
Goalkeeper
3.0
3
Cris
Defender
58′
3.5
14
Baky
Defender
3.5
13
3.0
20
Aly Cissokho
Defender
3.0
6
Kim Källström
Midfielder
3.0
10
Ederson
Midfielder
71′
3.5
11
3.5
21
Maxime Gonalons
Midfielder
3.0
9
Licha López
Striker
3.0
17
3.5

APOEL

3.5
22
Dionisis Chiotis
Goalkeeper
3.5
3
Paulo Jorge
Defender
2.5
7
2.5
98
Boaventura
Defender
3.0
10
3.0
26
Nuno Morais
Defender
3.0
-
Helder Sousa
Midfielder
72′
2.0
8
Ailton
Striker
67′
3.0
11
Ivan Trickovski
Midfielder
3.0
23
Hélio Pinto
Midfielder
52′

Substitutes

30
Rémy Vercoutre
Goalkeeper
-
14
Mouhamadou Dabo
Defender
-
43
Samuel Umtiti
Defender
-
8
Yoann Gourcuff
Midfielder
71′
3.0
15
Gueida Fofana
Defender
-
18
-
19
Jimmy Briand
Striker
58′
3.0

Substitutes

-
78
Urko Pardo
Goalkeeper
-
17
Marinos Satsias
Midfielder
-
77
Athos Solomou
Midfielder
-
81
Marcinho da Silva
Midfielder
72′ 89′
-
21
Gustavo Manduca
Midfielder
82′
-
29

Coach/Manager

-
Remi Garde
Coach
-

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
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  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
14 4
Mario Gomez Mario Gomez
Striker
Bayern Munich
13 0
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
10 2
Karim Benzema Karim Benzema
Striker
Real Madrid
7 0
Didier Drogba Didier Drogba
Striker
Chelsea
6 0