UEFA Champions League: Olympique Lyonnais v AS Roma

Written by Diego Valderrama

Saturday, 24 February 2007

Stade de Gerland is home to ‘Les Gones’ du Olympique Lyonnais. This Tuesday March 7th, 2007 they will host Italian Calccio’s AS Roma when they play for the second leg of their fixture for the UEFA Champions League knock out stage. The first leg ended in a scoreless game, kick off is at 2:45 pm EST.

AS Roma remains in strife to attain the UEFA Champions League quarter finals for the first time in club history. They have lots of work to do after a stubborn Olympique Lyonnais struggled for a scoreless draw in the Italian capital.

This game had few chances and allowed many yellow cards, eleven in total, numbering more then the meaningful attacks on goal. Neither club did enough to earn the victory. Now both will be looking for improved performances at Stade de Gerland on March 6th.

The visitors, were the club to come closest to earning an advantage in the first knockout round twist when Juninho Pernambucano's free kick was headed on to his own post by Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Taddei early in the first half. Roma's most severe threats also came from set piece plays.

The game started in an animated atmosphere with a capacity crowd offering support to the home team on their first appearance in the knockout stage. It was Lyon who established the quickest on field. Philippe Mexes was booked for a mistimed entry on Juninho within the first two minutes. The Frenchman playing again after a month on the sideline was joined in the booking card by Christian Panucci five minutes after and from the resulting free kick Taddei tipped Juninho's cross against his own post with goalkeeper Doni as a suffering spectator.

Juninho received a caution as the hard challenges continued to fly in but the Brazilian was wielding considerable pressure in midfield alongside the lively Tiago. Lyon was controlling ball possession and François Clerc's shot was deflected wide before Doni saved it from Florent Malouda's feet after the French international had turned threateningly past Matteo Ferrari.

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Roma eventually settled in after a nervous start and finished the half on top. Taddei's cross shot from the left flashed far in front of Simone Perrotta, than Grégory Coupet pulled off a smart point blank stop by cutting off Daniele De Rossi’s shot angle but the Roma midfielder was called offside in any case.

Francesco Totti was closely marshaled by Cris so the Roma danger had to come from other sources. Mancini fittingly stepped up but the Brazilian's long range shot was prevented in the 40th minute. Lyon seemed to have been restrained as an attacking danger although Tiago delivered the Italian side a warning just before the interval. He fired in a swerving hot ball that was barely pushed out by goalkeeper Doni.

The rhythm slowed in the second period as Roma dropped back deep, permitting the visitors plenty of possession. Lyon fought back to make their territorial advantage count but began to show signs of frustration when Fred and Tiago both missed the target from distance.

Francesco Totti's spear like free kick from the right angle of the penalty box was warded off to safety by Coupet which brought the crowd back to life, but the home fans soon had their hearts sink as Doni spilt a 40 meter free kick from Juninho and recovered quickly to deny Fred his parry shot.

Slowly, the game turned into a face off between two of football's best set piece experts, Totti tested Coupet again on 72 minutes. The French international goal stopper smothered Totti’s swerving effort for a second try. The high amounts of fouls were also part of the closing stages and Lyon’s midfielder Jérémy Toulalan picked up a booking. He will be suspended for the second leg.

This extremely boring first leg will be repeated once again, and could land both ways. Sportbet.com posted Olympique Lyon -143 at home with the draw at +220. AS Roma +400 is my pick for one reason. Lyon has no proven track record and Roma has a little more experience in these matters and maybe more luck. I think Roma will be the spoiler.