Player Ratings: Fiorentina 1-2 Lyon

FIORENTINA

Sébastien Frey 5.5 – The French goalkeeper had a strange kind of game as he was very rarely called into serious action even as Lyon threatened. He could not have been expected to do anything about Makoun’s opener and to criticise him on Benzema’s strike would be harsh.

Juan Manuel Vargas 6 – Got forward down the right flank well to support the midfield in advanced areas. The Peruvian’s crossing was a little mixed at times but, overall, a positive contribution.

Luciano Zauri 5.5 – Like his fellow full-back Zauri was asked to push on, which naturally left the defence a little exposed. Again a player who can be happy with a decent showing.

Dario Dainelli 4.5 – A poor first half from the captain, who would subsequently be withdrawn at half time. It was he who allowed Benzema room to strike home the crucial second goal.

Alessandro Gamberini 5 – This was not a night for defenders but Gamberini generally coped with the threat of a rampant Benzema manfully. One particularly excellent tackle in the second half after the forward had beaten two of his team-mates.

Felipe 5.5 – Quiet first half from the Brazilian but he sprang into life in the second. Had several good touches, although his defensive duties could have been fulfilled more impressively.

Riccardo Montolivo 6.5 – Aside from giving away cheap possession for Lyon’s second goal, the midfielder always looked for the attacking option. After his mistake in the first half he really came to life. A second period effort that passed through several legs and forced Lloris into a fine save was particularly impressive.

Zdravko Kuzmanović 4 – On an evening when other players were flourishing, the Serb was not good enough. His night was summed up with a shot that he tugged out for a throw.

Mario Alberto Santana 4 – So often a dangerous floater in the Fiorentina side, Santana’s influence on this fixture was minimal. Got into some good crossing positions but rarely threatened Lyon.

Adrian Mutu 4.5 – Worked hard and was ever-involved but his finishing was weak. Should have struck with a first half header that hit the post and pushed a fine second half chance by the post.

Alberto Gilardino 6.5 – Fiorentina’s main threat in attack. Just as he did in the Stade Gerland, the Italian international terrorised the Lyon defence in the air and scored with a superb header.

Substitutes

Per Krøldrup 4.5 – Half time replacement for Dainelli. Fared little better.

Stevan Jovetić 5.5 – Made a positive impact when he came on. Gave more impetus to the side.

Pablo Daniel Osvaldo 4.5 – Only had one chance in his brief cameo but blazed wide and over in stoppage time.

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS

Hugo Lloris 6.5 – Really commanding performance from the young goalkeeper, who dealt with most situations very well. One rush of blood to the head in the first half can be forgotten as he made a very brave stop from Gilardino.

John Mensah 5 – Little was seen of the Ghanaian, who made a steady comeback from injury. Could have done a little better on the Fiorentina goal by covering in quicker.

Fabio Grosso 6 - Several lung-bursting runs forward from Grosso but perhaps not to the extent that supporters have come to expect of the left-back. One simply brilliant block to deny Santana a simple tap-in.

Cris 6 – By far the more commanding of the two Lyon centre-backs yet the Brazilian was not always comfortable against Gilardino. Still managed to make a number of timely interventions.

Jean-Alain Boumsong 5 – An entirely unconvincing first half display for Boumsong, in which he nearly allowed Gilardino a simple cut-back with poor shepherding. Then there were the characteristic misplaced passes etc…

Jérémy Toulalan 6.5 – Superb in the holding role. Rarely does anything particularly notable (aside from commit a number of fouls) but his presence is always missed when he doesn’t play. Broke up several dangerous counter-attacks with excellent reading of the game, making his job look so easy.

Jean II Makoun 6.5 – An all-action performance from Makoun, who was the real box-to-box player in the Lyon side. Even managed to push on and score a goal; he can be happy with his work.

Juninho 8.5 – A truly masterful performance from the little Brazilian. Always caused danger with his perceptive passing and clever touches. And that’s not even mentioning the two blockbusting free-kicks that shook Frey’s goal – brilliant efforts.

Kader Keita 6 – Plenty of tricks but Keita could have done with a little more end product to his play tonight.

Sidney Govou 8 – The wide-players best game in sometime. Always looked dangerous running at the home defence, nearly setting Benzema up with a terrific second half run.

Karim Benzema 8.5 – A really classy showing from one of the world’s hottest properties. Skill, pace, intelligence and finishing ability – the local-born lad has it all. Occasionally made the wrong decision as he attempted to showboat but showed his class with an assist for Makoun and a goal of his own. Tremendous.

Substitutes

Ederson 6 – Made a great impression in only ten minutes. Had his superbly struck volley off the bar gone in, it would have been one of the goals of the competition this year.

Piquionne n/a – Not enough time to make a judgement as he replaced Benzema.