Ten years ago, the Olympique lyonnais expects it. Reach the quarter-finals of an edition of C1. And this season, the men of Rudi Garcia are on track to achieve this dream. The winner in the away game (1-0) with the left leg of Lucas Tousart, the OL has taken a serious advantage over a possible qualification. In the light of historical statistics, Lyon actually has 70 % chance of getting to the next round of C1. But the teammates Memphis Depay will have to remain vigilant. Champion of Italy for the ninth time in a row, Juventus Turin will be able to count on Cristiano Ronaldo – best goalscorer in the history of the champions League -, to reverse the trend.
– An effective defense in three
The result of the match to go was unexpected. Yet, they have done it. On the 26th of February last, in front of 60,000 supporters, the troops of Jean-Michel Aulas has created the surprise by winning against Juventus Turin (1-0). For 90 minutes, Lyon have shown an attractive face in the face of a pale-training book, which, since, is revving up to offer the thirty-sixth Scudetto in its history. The Rhone have especially assured the essential by not cashing any purpose. The game system introduced by Rudi Garcia – with three central defenders – their has helped to find the strength, density and efficiency which they lacked. A device that has also proven its worth in the face of Paris Saint-Germain in the League Cup (0-0 ; 6-5 t. a. (b), since the OL has retained its cages inviolate in now this defense to three.
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If Lyon will certainly have a lot to defend, the men of Rudi Garcia will, of course, valuable attacking opportunities to achieve. To do this, Olympique lyonnais can now count on the return of Memphis Depay and Jeff Reine-Adelaide – the two great absent of the match to go. A threat that is taken very seriously Maurizio Sarri, the coach of italy, which discussed the issue at a press conference. As he knows, the Olympique lyonnais is capable of all the feats in the face of the big teams. They have already shown against Manchester City (in 2018), and they are never ridiculous in France face au PSG. A single goal from lyon would then Juve to score at least three. All the hopes are allowed.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the lethal weapon of Juve
Bête noire of the French clubs in match-elimination tournament (four wins in four games played), Juve remains a juggernaut on the continental stage. Driven by hard-nosed Cristiano Ronaldo, the Old Lady won for the ninth consecutive season the Italian championship. Juve can count on his star striker of 35 years, who continues to demonstrate that, wherever he goes, nothing resists it. This season, Ronaldo has scored 31 goals and delivered 5 assists in 33 championship games. Statistics head-to-head, which allowed him to become the first footballer in Serie A to reach the milestone of 50 goals as quickly (61 meetings). Finally, on the continental stage, it is still the best scorer in the history of the competition with 129 goals in 173 games. This is clearly the centrepiece of Juventus Turin.
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Yet, in recent weeks, the Bianconeri showed a face rather disappointing, losing three of its last four games and cashing seven goals ! Simple demobilization or evil most profound ? The players of Mauricio Sarri seemed worn out by this cover at high speed of the Italian championship (fourteen games played in a month and a half). The coach, the bianconeri will also have to dial its number with an uncertainty of size, that of Paulo Dybala, was wounded in the thigh. The Argentinean, named best player of the season in Serie A, could be replaced by his fellow countryman Gonzalo Higuain.
Finally, regarding the statistics, the figures are more in favour of Juve. The Old Lady qualified for the quarter-finals in 4 of his last 5 participations, losing only in 2015-2016 (eliminated by Bayern Munich). And she remains unbeaten in two receptions in european competition, in the face of the LW (1 win, 1 nil). On his side, the last qualifier of the Olympique lyonnais dates back to the 2009-2010 season, during which the Rhone had consecutively eliminated Real Madrid and Girondins de Bordeaux, before losing in the semi-final to Bayern Munich. A memory already distant. As Lyon failed to win any of its last 10 trips in the knockout phase of the competition (8 defeats, 2 null). And lack of pace after the stop of the season in League 1 in the month of march, Olympique lyonnais faced on Friday in a significant challenge. The Gons will therefore always give the lie to the statistics to finally get their ticket to the quarter-finals of the competition.
