advertisement
Claude Puel Praises Olympique Lyonnais Players After 5-5 Olympique de Marseille Tie
Puel has talked of his kaleidoscope of emotions after one of Le Championnat's most memorable games in recent history...
Olympique Lyonnais general manager Claude Puel praised his players’ character after watching them recover from a 4-2 deficit to draw 5-5 with Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday evening.
In what will surely be one of the most incredible matches played out anywhere on the planet this season, OL lead early through Miralem Pjanic. Souleymane Diawara brought the guests level before Sidney Govou instantly restored Lyon’s lead. Benoit Cheyrou and Bakari Kone struck either side of half-time to put Marseille in the ascendancy, and then Brandao added a fourth for OM with just 11 minutes remaining. However, two quick Lisandro Lopez goals levelled the match prior to Michel Bastos putting Lyon back ahead in stoppage time. A late Jeremy Toulalan own goal ensured parity at full-time.
“I congratulate the players,” explained Puel to the AFP news agency.
“There was a very difficult scenario, conceding the second goal just before half-time and a third shortly after the break. We were led 4-2 before coming back. This shows the character of our team and the potential we have. We scored beautiful goals. We say that we won on points!
“We faced the power of Marseille, who scored three goals from set-plays or from second balls. It’s too bad we were not rewarded in the end.
“We are a little frustrated, though, at 4-2 we would have signed for a 4-4 draw. Considering the features of the game and what we could do, we're disappointed, obviously. We wanted the win in added time but we concede a fifth goal from a scramble.
“It's mostly disappointment and frustration that prevails. It's a draw against Marseille, but we wanted the three points. OM can consider this a good operation as they won a point away from home.”
Dropping two late points also meant that Lyon failed to take advantage of Bordeaux’s defeat in Lille earlier on Sunday. As a result, les Gones remain second in Ligue 1.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
In what will surely be one of the most incredible matches played out anywhere on the planet this season, OL lead early through Miralem Pjanic. Souleymane Diawara brought the guests level before Sidney Govou instantly restored Lyon’s lead. Benoit Cheyrou and Bakari Kone struck either side of half-time to put Marseille in the ascendancy, and then Brandao added a fourth for OM with just 11 minutes remaining. However, two quick Lisandro Lopez goals levelled the match prior to Michel Bastos putting Lyon back ahead in stoppage time. A late Jeremy Toulalan own goal ensured parity at full-time.
“I congratulate the players,” explained Puel to the AFP news agency.
“There was a very difficult scenario, conceding the second goal just before half-time and a third shortly after the break. We were led 4-2 before coming back. This shows the character of our team and the potential we have. We scored beautiful goals. We say that we won on points!
“We faced the power of Marseille, who scored three goals from set-plays or from second balls. It’s too bad we were not rewarded in the end.
“We are a little frustrated, though, at 4-2 we would have signed for a 4-4 draw. Considering the features of the game and what we could do, we're disappointed, obviously. We wanted the win in added time but we concede a fifth goal from a scramble.
“It's mostly disappointment and frustration that prevails. It's a draw against Marseille, but we wanted the three points. OM can consider this a good operation as they won a point away from home.”
Dropping two late points also meant that Lyon failed to take advantage of Bordeaux’s defeat in Lille earlier on Sunday. As a result, les Gones remain second in Ligue 1.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
/* empty because this one does not have controls */?>
-
Capello remains one of the greats of the game
After tasting success wherever he had gone previously, the coach will look upon his time at Wembley as an incomplete job rather than a complete failure
-
Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback?
The divisive Uruguayan can look to history when he starts against United on Saturday for the first time since receiving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra
-
Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool
The former Reds defender believes that the Uruguayan must put controversy to the back of his mind when his team face the champions
-
The importance of Champions League qualification
The Ruhr side's remarkable run in Europe's elite tournament saw their revenue unexpectedly soar last season, but some teams are structured to depend on such results to survive
-
Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
Advertisement
Advertisement
