Olympiakos v Lyon [R]

[fishbiproduct]

And...

*straight* video file, all games
highlights, full-time (http://s46.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2C2FWXW39POZT07GKGQ1VPWHM0)

'bout 70Mb

[guignol]

pretty impressive. olympiakos came out guns blazing, but except for caçapa's blunder, and coupet's a little later, OL managed to ride it out very well. even after babangida's goal, there was no worry or hurry; olympiakos even increased their ball-control ratio, and OL just watched and waited for opportunities to strike. malouda first, fantastic work that the greek goalkeeper made a miracle save on. far from causing panic, missing that strike was almost as reassuring as a score, because it was clear there would be plenty more chances to score, even with 9 greeks behind the ball.

a juninho® FK later, olympiakos began getting the idea too: this was not going to be their night after all. govou missed one but carew didn't, and at halftime the score was what one might have expected. the fact that everything happened for OL in the last 5 minutes is only a detail.

in the second half, except for another ball going through caçapa, the defense was strong and serene, and OL was in complete control.

the major notes on a personal level:

coupet had a surprisingly poor night; you can't fault him for that goal, but on a good night, he stops that shot. and his run into the corner to get a yellow card was barthesque, not his style at all. plus a bit short on his aerial work a couple of times.

carew was amazing. not only did he score two, but he set up the two others and a couple more besides. he even helped out on defense. a big, BIG man! big john!

[guignol]

Touré: Lyon better than Chelsea
Olympiakos midfielder Yaya Touré, younger brother of Arsenal defender Kolo, has claimed that Lyon’s collective strength makes them a better side than Real Madrid and Chelsea.

“Lyon are really a strong side,” said the Ivory Coast international. “At Real Madrid, if you take Ronaldo out they are not the same team. With Lyon, I have the impression that you could take four or five players out without altering the general level. They have great strength... I don’t even know if Chelsea could beat them,”
http://www.channel4.com/sport/french_football/nov1f.html

[jambon-beurre]

Touré: Lyon better than Chelsea
Olympiakos midfielder Yaya Touré, younger brother of Arsenal defender Kolo, has claimed that Lyon’s collective strength makes them a better side than Real Madrid and Chelsea.

“Lyon are really a strong side,” said the Ivory Coast international. “At Real Madrid, if you take Ronaldo out they are not the same team. With Lyon, I have the impression that you could take four or five players out without altering the general level. They have great strength... I don’t even know if Chelsea could beat them,”
http://www.channel4.com/sport/french_football/nov1f.html

Very nice from him ... there's plenty of transfer rumours about him moving to big clubs next year, that might be a clue to know what's his favorite destination ... :cool:

[sl7vk]

Touré: Lyon better than Chelsea
Olympiakos midfielder Yaya Touré, younger brother of Arsenal defender Kolo, has claimed that Lyon’s collective strength makes them a better side than Real Madrid and Chelsea.

“Lyon are really a strong side,” said the Ivory Coast international. “At Real Madrid, if you take Ronaldo out they are not the same team. With Lyon, I have the impression that you could take four or five players out without altering the general level. They have great strength... I don’t even know if Chelsea could beat them,”
http://www.channel4.com/sport/french_football/nov1f.html

You must spread some reputation etc, etc....

[lefutur]

You know I used to think that OL wining the CL was a bit of wishful thinking combined with some evidence of potential. But at this point I think that I'll be disappointed if they dont at least go to the final. Especially if Carew and Juninho keep playing like this!

[Looper121]

Just give us the CL trophy now please.

[SportBoy333]

Very impressive to get a road win like that. I dont know where Olympiakos would rank if you ranked all 32 Champions League teams from best to worse but to score 4 goals on the road tremendous.

[SeanBGeary]

we joke about juninho's trademark freekick, but his current run of form in dead ball situations is absolutely unbelievable, even for his lofty standars. As Lyon fans, this does not come as an emormous shock to most of us, but I'm genuinely surprised that the rest of Europe has yet to truly take notice. In Juninho, Lyon has a player who seemingly one in every three freekicks within thirty-five yards scores/creates a goal. No player in the world can currently boast such an impressive record...any thoughts as to why juninho is an aftertought in the discussion, whereas beckham and roberto carlos (in particular the latter who is no where near as prolific as juninho) are the focus? aesthetics? larger clubs? just curious of yall's thoughts..

[DaeHaMinGuk]

Very impressive to get a road win like that. I dont know where Olympiakos would rank if you ranked all 32 Champions League teams from best to worse but to score 4 goals on the road tremendous.

Or the 7 we hung on Werder Bremen last year.

[SportBoy333]

I still think Chelsea are better than Lyon despite what Toure said. Chelsea are better in defense(I believe they've conceeded less goals than Lyon have) and they have a slight edge in midfield. Both teams go deep there but Chelsea go a bit deeper. As for forwards well I would rather have Drogba and Crespo over Wiltord and Carew. The only clear edge Lyon have is in goal and even some would agrue that Czech is just as good as Coupet. They shouldnt be worried about Chelsea anyway because their are plenty of other fine teams out there that can give Lyon problems.

[Forza_Italia]

we joke about juninho's trademark freekick, but his current run of form in dead ball situations is absolutely unbelievable, even for his lofty standars. As Lyon fans, this does not come as an emormous shock to most of us, but I'm genuinely surprised that the rest of Europe has yet to truly take notice. In Juninho, Lyon has a player who seemingly one in every three freekicks within thirty-five yards scores/creates a goal. No player in the world can currently boast such an impressive record...any thoughts as to why juninho is an aftertought in the discussion, whereas beckham and roberto carlos (in particular the latter who is no where near as prolific as juninho) are the focus? aesthetics? larger clubs? just curious of yall's thoughts..
all true but isnt it even more mind boggling the juninho will likely not start for the brazillian national team in germany 2006 barring injuries suspensions ect ect

[guignol]

all true but isnt it even more mind boggling the juninho will likely not start for the brazillian national team in germany 2006 barring injuries suspensions ect ectand of course, barring the magnificent show he'll put on in the CL between now and june! ;)