Watching Rangers in the CL vs Lyon

[loz]

1-0 to Rangers at HT after a thundering header from Lee mcCulloch.

As expected Rangers under a lot of rpessure however they are defending superbly so far (with the excetion of Hutton being skinned by the left winger a few too many times). Hemdani doing a superb job in the holding role and Cuellar is having another excellent game at centre half.

However Rangers nealry robbed bline on the stroke of half time. If you see the highlights later you will see an outrageous dive by Juninho which the ref buys hook line and sinker. David Weir gets booked for no reason and Juninho thundered the free kick against the bar.

Lyon lacking quality so far. Milan Baros looks like the player he is, average - Kallstrom and Govou invisible and Juninho is comeing deeper and deeper trying to influence things.

 

[loz]

Cousin just hit a superb second to put Rangers 2-0 up

 

[loz]

And now 3-0!!!! Stunning long ball from Cousin and an easy finish for DaMarcus Beasley.

 

[The Moos]

Brilliant. Imagine if they could do the same against Barcelona

 

[bjd]

 

[midlandblue]

Fantastic display, fantastic result.

 

[The Moos]

But what are Lyon doing? 0-3 against Barcelona and 0-3 against Rangers. Two losses and 0-6 in goal difference.

And this is a team that many thought would go far

 

[loz]

I never really expect Lyon to go that far. The French league is not nearly strong enough. Lyon have dominated it for 6 or 7 years now but have never really made a great impression on the CL (a couple of QF places maybe or did they make the SF once?)

 

[Joel]

I enjoy watching Le Championnat, and what I've seen of Lyon so far this season they have gotten off to a slow start. I didn't expect them to get thumped so comprehensively in their first 2 CL matches....but you might say it's been on the cards.

 

[SydneyChelsea]

I never really expect Lyon to go that far. The French league is not nearly strong enough. Lyon have dominated it for 6 or 7 years now but have never really made a great impression on the CL (a couple of QF places maybe or did they make the SF once?)

How can you seriously expect a Gerard Houllier team to "go far?

 

[loz]

Thing is it wasn't even a Houlier team - it has been a long long time since the Lyon team was actually predominantly run by the manager.

 

[wicksy]

I never really expect Lyon to go that far. The French league is not nearly strong enough. Lyon have dominated it for 6 or 7 years now but have never really made a great impression on the CL (a couple of QF places maybe or did they make the SF once?)

Lyon have been a very strong side for 3 years or so and have been unlucky not to have gone beyond the quarters before now.

However, great result for Rangers notwithstanding, Lyon are a very weakenedside this season. They have sold several key players including Abidal and of course a certain Malouda. They have also been very unfortunate with injuries: Their keeper Coupet is out with a long term injury, as is centre back Cris and the Brazilian striker Fred. As they don't have the strength in depth of top English sides it's no wonder they've struggled so far this season.

So yeah, great result Rangers, but don't get too carried away. Barca will stuff you and bring you crashing down to earth.