http://oi40.tinypic.com/nmi7o4.jpg
Champions League Final
Saturday 30th May 2015 – Champions League Final – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff – Att. 72,500
Arvind Krishna: Good evening and welcome to Cardiff. We are here building up to the biggest game in Lyon’s history and for Liverpool it’s just another Champions League final. Liverpool have come in to this on the back of beating teams like Bayern Munich and Arsenal whereas Lyon have had maybe the tougher run, beating Manchester City for the 1st time in 3 years on aggregate and Barcelona. Glenn Tham, a Singaporean commentator known world wide for his efforts commentating on Aston Villa and Bayern Munich games, joins me.
Glenn Tham: Hello there Arvind. It’s good to be here and I am looking forward to this game a lot. These are 2 teams that many people would have made a lot of money on if they bet on them reaching the final. I have to admit I have a soft spot for Liverpool and can see them running away with this despite their poor form in the league.
Arvind: Well I have just heard the managers have confirmed the line-ups. Lets have a quick look at them.
Glenn: Liverpool are lining up as the home team and I see some very strong names there. Suarez, McGeady and Yarmolenko will be difficult to handle going forward and Lucas will be a work horse in the middle of the park. Defensively they are maybe slightly suspect through the middle. If Lyon play with a lot of pace up top Liverpool could be caught out. Agger and Kelly will provide good cover in the middle.
Arvind: Well it seems as though Lyon have gone with the much-favoured 3-5-2 yet again. This formation has been somewhat a revelation for manager Remi Garde and it seems many teams can’t handle this. The back three are very strong, with young wonderkid Prince Boateng coming through leaps and bounds this season. The midfield is packed and Remi will expect big things from Hughes and Gonalons. Benzia and Lacazette have outstanding ability and will definitely cause the Liverpool back line problems.
Glenn: An interesting match up for sure. The teams are making their way out and we are moments away from the 2015 Champions League final kicking off. Can Lyon top off their fantastic season by winning the treble? Lets find out.
1’ – And we’re off. Liverpool kicking from left to right and the final is underway with the crowd producing an amazing atmosphere tonight.
20’ – The first real chance of the game after the 6th minute falls to Lyon and striker Alexandre Lacazette. Hughes plays in Lacazette just inside the box and he smashed it low across the goal but it just goes wide. Pressure mounting here.
23’ – PENALTY. Lacazette is causing all sorts of problems here for the Liverpool back 4. Tom Ince this time plays him in and he is brought down by a late challenge from Michael Dawson. A rash and silly tackle and no doubt a penalty. Up steps Lacazette and he smashes it in to the top corner, with Reina going the other way. Lyon lead 1-0!!!
24’ – Will Hughes with a guilt edged chance to put Lyon 2-0 up but he can’t direct the pass from Lacazette goal wards as he skims his shot.
30’ – Umtiti is injured. Looks like he fell awkwardly after winning a defensive header. On comes club captain Dejan Lovren.
45’ – And that’s the half time whistle. Lyon lead 1-0 and have controlled the 1st half.
46’ – Welcome back and we already have had the first shot of the half. Jonjo Shelvey has just left the crossbar shuddering with an absolute beast of a shot. John Ruddy beaten all ends up.
54’ – Liverpool chance and Ruddy in action to beat away a header from Dawson after a corner.
85’ – GOAAAAAAAL. It is Aiden McGeady who has scored a beauty. He spotted Ruddy off his line and has chipped it in from 25 yards. A late equaliser and it looks like we are heading to extra time. Liverpool 1 – 1 Lyon.
89’ – The signal has gone up for 2 minutes of extra time. And just as the board is held up Lyon break away. A move starting with Ruddy in goal, he rolls it to Rojo who drives forward and passes to Gonalons. Gonalons to Hughes to Lacazette. Lacazette feeds Will Hughes on the edge of the box and Hughes wriggles past Martin Skrtel. He’s inside the box and has just smashed in a goal. An absolutely wonderful team goal and Will Hughes takes the plaudits. It is Lyon 2, Liverpool 1. We have 1 minute left of added time and surely there’s no way back now.
90+3’ – Cristian Zimmerman blows the whistle. Remi Garde and Lyon have done it!!!! They have won the most coveted prize in club history and deservedly so! Lacazette has run Liverpool ragged tonight but the game was won in midfield.
Arvind: There we have it. Remi Garde has masterminded the win and goes down in French history and Lyon history. Hughes and Boateng were absolutely immense. Who is your choice for man of the match Glenn?
Glenn: I honestly have to give it to a Liverpool player. He was absolutely everywhere tonight and was the reason it wasn’t as big a win for Lyon and that is Lucas Leiva.
Arvind: I have to agree with you but tonight the celebrations and gory belongs to Lyon. A great final and the better team won it tonight. I have to admit they really are a real force to be reckoned with and with such a young team it makes the achievement even more stunning.
Glenn: Well that is it from us here at FMScout Sports 1. We hope to see you again when the season starts in August. Until then, have a great summer. Goodnight.
Arvind: Goodnight all. I’d like to thank Glenn for joining me and I hope you enjoyed the game.