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UEFA Champions League Third Round Play Off
It's been a while since Lyon have had a successful champions league campaign. I remember back in 2009, when Real Madrid, the nine-time champions were stunned and beaten by this very team. Back then, Lyon were a force to be reckoned with. The likes of Lloris and Bastos were still at the club but now all those quality players have left and we're left with youth and a bit of experience.
Although this is only a third round play off tie, its still a huge match. These boys desperately want to win it and advance to the play off round and really have a chance of qualifying for the champions league. The team bus is silent as we approach the Stade de Gerland, our stadium. This will be my first competitive game at home, but I'm just glad its at home. I can't wait to hear the roar of the fans once we walk onto the pitch, they wan't champions league football as much as the players do too. It gives them something to brag about, something to be proud of.
As we get off the boss, we are more or less mobbed by the fans, immediately I am asked for autographs and pictures, myself and André. We just smile and sign but we have other stuff on our mind, more important stuff, we have a game to win.
Team talk
Every player had taken their designated seat. Most of them were dressing up, putting on their shirts or socks or shorts. I gave them about 10 minute to get ready and relax before giving them the team talk and letting them know how I wanted to play.
*10 minutes later*
Roberto: Ok everyone, listen very well I'm going to talk to you about the game today.
Team Chrous: Yes sir.
Roberto: Today is a big day for this club and you players, the fans and even myself and André. Today could be a turning point, a chance to give this club the boost it needs. Some of you may never have played in the champions league, so this is your chance to qualify for it. Please do not look at this game and think "it's against an easy opposition and its only the third round qualifying" it is a must win game.
You are lucky to have two coaches who won Chelsea the Champions League at your disposal, we know what to do so you must listen to us. Now we are playing the major tactic I showed you in training, the first one. We discussed the starting lineup two days ago in training so there's no confusion over that. In case you are not clear or somehow you have forgotten, this is the starting lineup:
We practiced the various roles in training two days ago and we have been doing so for the last few weeks, so there shouldn't be any excuses. Support each other, open up for each other. Shoot on sight if you can't find the pass, you have space or you see the keeper off the line.
André: Defenders, you must play as a unit. Last year when I was at Spurs and we played you, you gave us too much space and respect, especially when defending set pieces. Oh Roberto, its time for them to go and warm up now.
Roberto: Off you go now, go warm up, Maxime you will lead them.
Match day live
As we walked out onto the pitch there was a roar, a very loud roar. It was like I had been thrown in a cage with thousands of hungry lions. I could hear my name being chanted and sung, I felt like a hero already. I applauded the fans, shook hands with the opposition's manager and a few off their coaches and before I knew it, the famous champions league song was booming out of the stadium speakers. As the song was being played, memories began to flash in and out of my head. I started to day dream about that night in Barcelona, when Messi missed that penalty, Ramires scored that crucial goal and Torres but the game to bed. Next was the night in Munich, a night I will never forget. I could clearly picture Drogba jumping up high and heading the ball into the back of the net. A great finish it was. All the staff went crazy and the players on the bench. When Robben missed that penalty and it went to penalties, when Drogba stepped up and placed the ball into the back of the net. I remember being thrown up into the air by all the players and staff, kissing the trophy and lifting it up in front of thousands of fans I remember...
Andre: Sorry to disturb your day dreaming but the match is about to start and the camera man was coming towards you and you looked kind of silly *laughs*
*PEEEEP* The whistle was blown and it was Zulte who kicked the game off. After about a minute, Zulte hadn't touched the ball, we were playing keep ball, just like in training. Benzia has been looking lively and just had a shot saved, it was a long range one but a powerful one.
Thorgan Hazard is causing trouble with our defence with his dribbling skills and the referee has made some dodgy decisions. I decide to write some notes down in my notebook so that when there is an interval in play, I can bark out instructions.
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*CRACK* Before I could finish writing I heard a defiant sound, I looked up in shock to see Briand with his hands on his head. André told me had just hit the bar. We were really dominating the game and putting Zulte under pressure.
Briand is with the ball now and seems to be looking for who to pass to, there's only one possible pass available and it would take great technique to get it to....GOAL GOAL GOAL! Briand found Benzia who hit the ball on the volley and smashed it into the back of the net! We are winning 1-0, great! To be honest, we deserve to be winning by 2 or 3 but I'm grateful for the one goal.
*30 minutes later*
It's half time now. The rest of the first half was just a competition between Thorgan Hazard and Benzia. It was a case of "anything you can do, I can do better". Each player seemed to be trying to outshine each other. In my half time team talk I just told the lads to continue the good work but to remember to contest every single ball. I warned them greatly against complacency and reminded them about the away goal rule and how it could change everything.
*10 minutes later*
We're about 15 minutes into the half and we're in no great hurry to score another goal. For now we just want to keep the ball, frustrate Zulte and hopefully lure them into making a bad challenge and receiving a yellow card, and then hitting them on the counter.
Briand is with the ball again, apart from Benzia, he has been the most dangerous player on the pitch. He is playing his heart out tonight which is something every coach loves to see. Oh a bit of trickery and a cross and...and... GOAAAAAAL! 2-0 Briand to Benzia again and yet another volley. This kid is brilliant I tell you, brilliant! I've never seen such a young player who understands the flight of the ball and how to hit it at different circumstances. He scores all these freak goals in training but I thought they were just flukes, certainly not!
*30 minutes later*
The game is coming to an end and I've told the players to just sit behind the ball and make sure they don't concede as that would be a disaster. Benzia has had a few chances to score but narrowly missed all of those chances. He could easily have had a hattrick. He has really split open that defence today.
*PEEP PEEP PEEP*
The full time whistle is blown, we're victorious and we've more or less gone a step closer to qualifying for the champions league. I allowed André to take the team talk as he looked even happier than I did. I'm so proud of the teams performance today, we played very very well! Our tactic worked and the defence was rock solid! I can go to bed tonight with a smile on my face.
interesting ones there good luck with them
