So now we know, we will – again – play Lyon in the Champions League, and I can understand the feeling of relief we all have, I think we got the opponent we wished most.
Before the draw last year, I felt insecure having all the defense problems in Barcelona, so I wanted to be drawn against the team with weakest offense and that cause less troubles offensively so we have a better opportunity to score counting on individuals and qualify.
This year I had the opposite feeling, I wanted to face the team with the weakest defense. Because with the kind of backline we have - system and players - added to a fit Yaya and available Busquets and Keita, I believe that we have what we need to have a secured back and contain any opponent specially in the first leg – away.
So the concern was not to play a team that REALLY knows how to defend closing their field and aiming to steal qualification rather than winning it, and in that mean my most unfavorable was Inter (Italian + Mourinho = Busses parking), and then Chelsea, a team having players with physical character in the Defense and Midfield.
My second favorite was Arsenal, an attractive club but who don’t really know how to defend. Containing their offense isn’t a mission impossible, Walcott by physical dominance, and Ade by cutting communication lines in the midfieldwhen he gets bored in the box, while Van Persie will be most likely injured, at least for one of the two games.
But no doubt, Lyon was the favorite of all, and if the myth is true that there is something called “The luck of champions”, then we have all the reasons to feel good.
But lets keep in mind that they have some players to spoil the party, specially that Benzema, who will have all the reasons to play his best game of the season, a lot of things on stake, his future? And please if we had the choice either to tackle a player in the box or on the edge, let it be a penalty, I don’t want to give that Brazilian a free kick!
Below is an interview I made with Julien, the administrator of Lyon blog on the net “quinesaute” before the draw.
How do you evaluate Lyon's performance in the CL and the league?
In the CL, the overall performance of Lyon is not very convincing. In the defensive phases, in particular, I have read that Lyon is the worst defense of qualified teams in CL. This is a matter of worry.
From a certain point of view, the team suffers for its inexperience and some injuries of key players have changed the face of the defensive line (Bodmer, as central back, Clerc and Réveillère, in the right side). Lyon however shows a great determination. In many games, the team came back in the game after being scored (1st games vs Fio and Steaua, 2nd game vs Bayern, even if in this case the team did not equalize).
Therefore, the main quality of Lyon is its determination and the individual qualities of some of its players - Benzema and Juninho for its free kicks. In the collective game, the quality is not sufficient. Lyon is not improving from this point of view, and the team is quite far from the collective, tactical strength that it had two or three seasons ago (with players like Diarra, Essien, Tiago in the midfield).
In the league, the performances of Lyon are worse than in CL. The team has some difficulties to switch between the competitions. It does not show the same determination, concentration. It therefore show some very poor games and suffered logical defeats (Rennes : 3 - 0, Paris : 1 - 0, Nantes : 2 - 1).
One of the main weakness of the team is its poor ball possession: the transitions between defense and forwards are worse than ever. The defensive midfielders are too often giving long balls to the only central forward (Benzema). And even if Benzema is a crack, it is not sufficient to beat other French teams, and for us, fans of the team, it is a very poor football.
Do you watch Barcelona games? What are your impressions?
I have watched too little games. But I think that Barcelona is a great, great team. It has a strong collective power. For instance, the way of pressuring the opponents is impressive. Also, the manner for the team to manage the game is very interesting. We feel that Barcelona has the control of the game. And can make a goal when they want (it was what I felt watching the game vs Valladolid).
How do you feel now that there is a chance Barcelona and Lyon may meet in the knock out stage?
Barcelona is better than last year, and Lyon has not improved its football despite the arrival of Puel as manager. And last year Barcelona easily beated Lyon in Nou Camp (3-0).
What are the strengths you can count on to beat a team like Barcelona? Where do you see Barcelona's weakness?
Determination and Benzema are the main strengths of Lyon. Maybe, against Barcelona, the dynamics of the team can be strength. Actually, Lyon cannot rivals with Barcelona in the ball possession, or with the technique quality. Lyon has only few chances, if it plays a direct game, dynamic and powerful, more Germanic than Latin, and would need great finishing qualities.
What makes Barcelona dangerous?
The technique qualities of individual players and the collective strength of these individual players that are making a strong team, all together, thanks to Guadriola's remarkable job. Plus the finishing of Etoo.
What kind of games do you expect between the two Clubs?
A great domination, ball possession of Barcelona. Few occasions for Lyon, and the hability of Benzema or Lyon's striker in finishing these few opportunities would determine the score of the game. But Barcelona has clearly more chances than Lyon.
Do you prefer to meet another club instead? Which team you will be glad to be drawn against on Friday? Why?
Another team, sure. Porto would be a team of Lyon's level. And I appreciate Portuguese football. It would be my first choice. Pana also. Lyon has already played vs. Barcelona, Manchester or Roma. I don't like Italian football and the city of Turin, so forget Juve. I also would appreciate to play Liverpool, for its mythical and because Lyon never plays against this team. Being in Anfield should be a great experience.
This year I had the opposite feeling, I wanted to face the team with the weakest defense. Because with the kind of backline we have - system and players - added to a fit Yaya and available Busquets and Keita, I believe that we have what we need to have a secured back and contain any opponent specially in the first leg – away.
So the concern was not to play a team that REALLY knows how to defend closing their field and aiming to steal qualification rather than winning it, and in that mean my most unfavorable was Inter (Italian + Mourinho = Busses parking), and then Chelsea, a team having players with physical character in the Defense and Midfield.
My second favorite was Arsenal, an attractive club but who don’t really know how to defend. Containing their offense isn’t a mission impossible, Walcott by physical dominance, and Ade by cutting communication lines in the midfieldwhen he gets bored in the box, while Van Persie will be most likely injured, at least for one of the two games.
But no doubt, Lyon was the favorite of all, and if the myth is true that there is something called “The luck of champions”, then we have all the reasons to feel good.
But lets keep in mind that they have some players to spoil the party, specially that Benzema, who will have all the reasons to play his best game of the season, a lot of things on stake, his future? And please if we had the choice either to tackle a player in the box or on the edge, let it be a penalty, I don’t want to give that Brazilian a free kick!
Below is an interview I made with Julien, the administrator of Lyon blog on the net “quinesaute” before the draw.
How do you evaluate Lyon's performance in the CL and the league?In the CL, the overall performance of Lyon is not very convincing. In the defensive phases, in particular, I have read that Lyon is the worst defense of qualified teams in CL. This is a matter of worry.
From a certain point of view, the team suffers for its inexperience and some injuries of key players have changed the face of the defensive line (Bodmer, as central back, Clerc and Réveillère, in the right side). Lyon however shows a great determination. In many games, the team came back in the game after being scored (1st games vs Fio and Steaua, 2nd game vs Bayern, even if in this case the team did not equalize).
Therefore, the main quality of Lyon is its determination and the individual qualities of some of its players - Benzema and Juninho for its free kicks. In the collective game, the quality is not sufficient. Lyon is not improving from this point of view, and the team is quite far from the collective, tactical strength that it had two or three seasons ago (with players like Diarra, Essien, Tiago in the midfield).
In the league, the performances of Lyon are worse than in CL. The team has some difficulties to switch between the competitions. It does not show the same determination, concentration. It therefore show some very poor games and suffered logical defeats (Rennes : 3 - 0, Paris : 1 - 0, Nantes : 2 - 1).
One of the main weakness of the team is its poor ball possession: the transitions between defense and forwards are worse than ever. The defensive midfielders are too often giving long balls to the only central forward (Benzema). And even if Benzema is a crack, it is not sufficient to beat other French teams, and for us, fans of the team, it is a very poor football.
Do you watch Barcelona games? What are your impressions?
I have watched too little games. But I think that Barcelona is a great, great team. It has a strong collective power. For instance, the way of pressuring the opponents is impressive. Also, the manner for the team to manage the game is very interesting. We feel that Barcelona has the control of the game. And can make a goal when they want (it was what I felt watching the game vs Valladolid).
How do you feel now that there is a chance Barcelona and Lyon may meet in the knock out stage?
Barcelona is better than last year, and Lyon has not improved its football despite the arrival of Puel as manager. And last year Barcelona easily beated Lyon in Nou Camp (3-0).
What are the strengths you can count on to beat a team like Barcelona? Where do you see Barcelona's weakness?
Determination and Benzema are the main strengths of Lyon. Maybe, against Barcelona, the dynamics of the team can be strength. Actually, Lyon cannot rivals with Barcelona in the ball possession, or with the technique quality. Lyon has only few chances, if it plays a direct game, dynamic and powerful, more Germanic than Latin, and would need great finishing qualities.What makes Barcelona dangerous?
The technique qualities of individual players and the collective strength of these individual players that are making a strong team, all together, thanks to Guadriola's remarkable job. Plus the finishing of Etoo.
What kind of games do you expect between the two Clubs?
A great domination, ball possession of Barcelona. Few occasions for Lyon, and the hability of Benzema or Lyon's striker in finishing these few opportunities would determine the score of the game. But Barcelona has clearly more chances than Lyon.
Do you prefer to meet another club instead? Which team you will be glad to be drawn against on Friday? Why?
Another team, sure. Porto would be a team of Lyon's level. And I appreciate Portuguese football. It would be my first choice. Pana also. Lyon has already played vs. Barcelona, Manchester or Roma. I don't like Italian football and the city of Turin, so forget Juve. I also would appreciate to play Liverpool, for its mythical and because Lyon never plays against this team. Being in Anfield should be a great experience.
Ramzi Tanani
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7 comments:
I'm buzzing about this draw, we just can't let Benzema get on net, other than that we should be fine.
i see juninho as the bigges threat, benzema is good but relatively easy to keep quiet. I think it's time to flex our european muscles at give them a good thumping. A good 5-0 should get the rest of the teams in europe shaking at the thought of the next round!!!
^^^ Do all Barca fanboys live in cloud cuckoo land!!!
Well Barcelona football is obviously irresistible if even non-fans of our club are visiting and commenting on a niche fan blog.
I laughed at the van Persie line Ramzi.
Yeah Ramzi, the van Persie line amused me too. I dont think Benzema is that impressive. Eto'o beats him hands down. I think we should expect every team to play a more physical game against us from here on ( Surely, if Real tried it other teams aren't going to think twice). But i expect Barca to give Lyon a good lesson. Couldn't we have a vote on who should be the player Barca would most benefit by buying? i dont particularly think we need any changes, the team is great as it is but i guess I wouldn't mind us buying Arshavin and say what about those galloping wingbacks russia used during the Euro for back-up; especially the left-back (i cant recall his name).
I'll have a "Who would you buy" topic next week, kamikaze.
thanks mate !
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