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Played
February 14, 2012 2:45 PM EST
Stade de Gerland — Lyon
Referee: P. Tagliavento
Attendance: 32010
February 14, 2012 2:45 PM EST
Stade de Gerland — Lyon
Referee: P. Tagliavento
Attendance: 32010
Top of the Match
Michel Fernandes Bastos
O. Lyon
O. Lyon
Alexandre Lacazette
O. Lyon
O. Lyon
Flop of the Match
Ailton
APOEL
APOEL
Ailton
APOEL
APOEL
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating 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 its young stars
By Robin Bairner
Olympique Lyonnais command a 1-0 lead over APOEL in its Champions League last 16 tie, following the first leg at Stade Gerland.
Lyon endured nearly an hour of frustration as it chipped away at the visiting defense 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 it defended stoutly throughout, and it took 88 minutes to muster any kind of shot at goal.
OL was doubtless prepared to face obstinate opponents, but its inability to break down a well-organized defense 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 men 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 range, with the lively Lacazette drawing the best save of the opening period with a shot from the corner of the box that needed saving 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 was just beginning to get frustrated when Lacazette sent a powerful shot into the net via Jorge’s boot. Immediately after, OL squandered a chance to go two up as Michel Bastos shot wide, having escaped behind the defense down his unfavored right.
Keen to find a second goal for 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 center.
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, which remains significant favorites to progress to the quarterfinals.
Lyon endured nearly an hour of frustration as it chipped away at the visiting defense 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 it defended stoutly throughout, and it took 88 minutes to muster any kind of shot at goal.
OL was doubtless prepared to face obstinate opponents, but its inability to break down a well-organized defense 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 men 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 range, with the lively Lacazette drawing the best save of the opening period with a shot from the corner of the box that needed saving 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 was just beginning to get frustrated when Lacazette sent a powerful shot into the net via Jorge’s boot. Immediately after, OL squandered a chance to go two up as Michel Bastos shot wide, having escaped behind the defense down his unfavored right.
Keen to find a second goal for 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 center.
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, which remains significant favorites to progress to the quarterfinals.
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Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
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Goal.com Rating
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Results
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Top Scorers
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|---|---|---|---|
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Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
|
Mario Gomez
Striker FC Bayern München |
13 | 0 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
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10 | 2 |
|
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7 | 0 |
|
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6 | 0 |