We meet again. Two years after our last encounter with Les Gones, a game, which saw the Old Lady go through thanks to a Samuel Umtiti own goal.
Both clubs have come a long way since that chilly night in Lyon, Juventus more so than Lyon though. Since their last meeting, Juventus won their fifth consecutive Scudetto whilst Lyon have gone another year trophy less but moved into their new stadium. Like their illustrious opponent, Lyon became the first French club to own their stadium.
There are two completely different teams facing each other tonight, compared to the two teams that stepped out on Stade de Gerland in 2014. Both have lost players, and brought in new faces. In addition, one familiar face will be returning to Lyon tonight, and its former Lyon player Miralem Pjanic who spent 3 years with Les Gones. Pjanic joined the Bianconeri this summer from Roma.
Les Gones lost their star defender Samuel Umtiti to the Spanish giants Barcelona earlier this summer, and replaced him with Marseille’s Nicolas N’koulou and highly rated Argentinian defender Emanuel Mammana who misses out due to sickness.
Juventus come into this game having seen their midfield star Paul Pogba move back to Manchester United, but replaced with Pjanic. Another familiar face to the Lyon fans is former Marseille midfielder Mario Lemina who joined the Old Lady last summer.
Lyon will be hoping that their home form will help them tonight, having won 14 in 15 at Parc OL. There’s no doubt that Juventus are clear favorites tonight, but Lyon captain Maxime Gonalons stated that his young side will cling to hope, because they know they are capable of great things. And Gonalons is right, we’ve seen Lyon perform against the very best and won. Both sides are struggling with injuries, but Lyon are much stronger now than they were two years.
The OL team that gave Juventus a run for their money over two legs in the 2014 Europa League QF was arguably weaker than the current team. The side contained an inexperienced Lyon side, a young Nabil Fekir and Corentin Tolisso who’s gone on to become one of France most consistent midfielders and one of Lyon’s most important players. Having improved their midfield with signing of Spanish international Sergi Darder, and the rebirth of Corentin Tolisso, Lyon will feel that they are arguably stronger collectively than the current Juventus midfield.
Whereas they will be strong in midfield, Lyon’s biggest weakness this season has been their defence. In terms of quality, Lyon are slightly stronger now than they were back then. Better fullbacks, no Kone but the loss of Umtiti has been massive for the young Lyon side. They are very shaky at the back and the likes of Mbiwa and N’koulou has to be wary of the talented Argentinian duo of Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain.
Lyon’s front two in Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir are huge threats; the pair start their first CL game together. Juve’s defense will have to be on the lookout for the skillful, and quick feet of Fekir. Fekir is very talented, great on the ball, intelligent and almost back to his best after a year out with an ACL injury. Lacazette is obviously now a well-known name in France and Europe. Having been played out wide for most of his young career, Alex was then reverted into the middle when Gomis and Lisandro left. Having led the top scorer chart for 2 seasons, Lacazette is one of the best young strikers in Europe. Quick, strong, not only a great finisher but also creates room for players around him to score.
Much has been said about Lyon having lost a lot of their prestige in the last few years, due to PSG’s rise as a domestic protagonist. Nevertheless, Lyon remains of the biggest clubs in France even though they might not dominating side they used to be. They are currently the best academy club in Europe, having overtaken Barcelona. Tonights starting 11 will contain six academy players; one to look out for tonight will be Corentin Tolisso.
Coretin Tolisso has come a long way in the last 12 months. He rejected Napoli this summer, a move that could have seen him suffer the same fate that his colleague Paul Pogba is currently suffering. The young midfielder stated that he decision to stay at Lyon was a choice of heart. In a time where young French players leave too soon, some for the money whilst the lure of England attracts them, it is a refreshing sight to see players like Tolisso staying on out of loyalty. In the past 12 months, Tolisso has progressed and became a key player for Lyon. He’s captained the side in Gonalons and Lacazette’s absence and is currently the captain of France U21 side. Compared to Pogba, Tolisso is progressing at a faster rate. He is tactically aware, technically proficient, disciplined, powerful, more versatile, a greater threat in front goal, shields his defense and more importantly has a good head on his shoulders. It is important to emphasis that I am not necessarily saying Tolisso is better than Pogba, but he has done more to improve his game over the year than Pogba.
Were the Old Lady to be interested in replacing one French midfielder with another then Corentin Tolisso is their man, a quality midfielder who has proven himself in every position he has played in, whether it’s been RB, LB, LWB, AM, CM and even DM. He is currently playing as a false nine for France U21, a role that has seen him score 4 in 2 games for Les Bleus.
I expect Juventus to beat Lyon tonight. I don’t think it’ll be an easy game but experience will be the decisive formula for a Juventus win.
Expected Lyon XI: Lopes; Rafael, Mbiwa, N’Koulou; Gaspar, Ferri, Gonalons, Tolisso, Rybus; Fekir, Lacazette.
Should be easy win for JUVE.Lyon are mediocre.Juve will sign bentacur so tolisso interest is lame.
Nerves are building up while the evening is setting. Yes, we should win. But this is Champions League. Anything can happen. I’m just gonna forget all of that and focus on 2 words. Forza Juve!!!!
A win or bust evening! (Not per se a bust, but with Sevilla most likely beating Zagreb, we need to do the same to stay on top)
Forza Juve
No reason to be nervous, we are a step above quality wise. By no means will this be an easy game but one that only a victory would satisfy. From the lineup I see no Khedira, this might be troubling as Lemina has been absolute rubish the last few games. I think we walk away from this game 3-1 victors.
Dybala, Pjanic and Higguain scorers!
Khedira is playing though mate! Evra as a CB again too
Santo Buffon!!
Does anyone have an idea why Evra is playing CB while Benatia is sitting on the bench?
Would have preferred Hernanes as the central midfielder instead of Lemina too.
Strange decisions if you ask me
Our midfield has been absolute shit. We desperatly need Marchisio back. Lemina is no Pogba and will never be although he seems to think he is himself.
Also grande Buffon. Just made his 2nd save to prevent a goal. What a hero.
For fuck sake Lemina…
Obviously the refereeing system in Europe is rigged. Even at home we get referee calls against us. Bonucci penalty?, Lyon´s # 13 (whoever that dude is) should´ve been sent off . Now Lemina sent off. How can juve play in Europe like this?
Obviously this system is rigged.
Lets create our own super league, leave this joke of a tournament called UCL.
Somebody bet a few millions on Lyon today, evidently. And somebody is guarding that bet blatantly evident.
It may have been harsh but he should never charge in like that with a yellow card.
But yeah they should have gotten red too. The guy made a punching move. And the penalty was easily given.
Its all BS, they trying to punish us for the slightest, ignores the blatant Lyon red card. RIGGED!!!!
Lets create our own super league leave this joke tournament.
Now I know why agnelli is pushing for that.
Obviously UCL has dark interests as main goal. UCL is all about $ for a few interested parties (gamblers). Evident. UCL=Calciopoli on steroids.
Thats nothing new lol. CL, or football in general these days is all about the money. This ref is just plain stupid tho. Its his first CL match and likely his last.
i think they have discretion only between a framework. they come to pitch with direct and clear guidelines by coertion. being a noob ref only forces his hand even more. Dude in black is a hopeless pawn.
We aren’t playing home
oh yeah true. I was swearing we wre at home. I have my hands full here with other stuff. Still this refereeing stinks, were we at home would be like hiding the sun with the index finger.
And the Lyon fans are a fucking disgrace throwing shit at Dybala at every cornor he takes.
Cmon Juve give me a reason to say something positive….
Let’s hope that juve can hold on to a draw now..or score on a counter
praying for one good counter and a higuain finish here.. We’re pretty fucked with a man down, but at least Lyon is going forward now instead of sitting back with 11 players.
Cuadrado does have the speed to break loose in a counter attack, hopefully he has his scoring boots on as well..
Cuadrado is not comin in, we in limit your losses mode. We should aim for a draw. NOW PLAY THE GOD MADE 6-3-1 (6-3-0 in this case)
I am all in for it forget this game forget spectacle. go 6-3-1 and park the bus.
Buffon certainly isn’t.
he is already on, dybala is out
True I just wouldn t do that. I would send this game to the trash basket. Go full Dull match. Allegri showing some balls and character here. Very nice out of him, class act. I would throw class out the window.
this is not a serious game so that we go all serious about it.
bring Moise Kean in NOW
we have to maintain an offensive option or we are completely done for. Higuain will have to finish any chances left for us, cuadrado can be of use with his enormous speed for just that
unfortunately that isnt an option for the team
YOU ARE RIGHT I AM JUST RANTING HERE.
THANK GOD, GOD IS GOOD GOD EXISTS, DIVINE JUSTICE, ILL SHUT UP AND GO TO MY KNEES AND PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR THIS.
I know mate, you just seemed to be so confused or something
yes I was, too much going on today also on a personal level, but all of it is good. God is Good, God is Good.
Am i glad you are not our coach. Goooooool 😀
LOL I AM JUST RANTING HERE. Obviously a coach would not do such thing, unless management was on the same page (and risk the club to be targeted from that point onwards). Everyone would point fingers at you for not playing your part (playing the fool) on this charade.
…. “we should aim for a draw”? On Champions League??
JUST AS I AM TYPING IT HE FUCKING DOES IT!!
C’mon juve!!!
Someone is losing some money today.
Buffon MOTM.
Hero of the day: Gigi fucking Buffon
He said he would prove his doubters wrong tonight and man, he did! Buffon, please just never retire, who on earth is ever going to fill your boots after you?
And credit where it is due: Cuadrado my man, you made me fucking shout your name this evening. Great run and what a clinical finish. I would shine your boots for that goal
I shouted “wow yes” as first reaction. I saw him shoot wildly from a difficult angle and naturally thought it was out of play. Then i saw the net move with he ball in it. I was actually suprised.
But yeah all credit to him. Great goal at an ever greater moment.
Thank God. Today Juve, Max, and specially Gigi showcased some true character. Swimming against the tide, winning against the odds.
My favorite part about this is that Cuadrado scored. I couldn’t wait to come here and write those words: Cuadrado scored. Buffon and Cuadrado won us the match.
I REPEAT.
Buffon and Cuadrado won us the match.
Allegri had his hand too, following belgian´s remarks
I was happy he learned from the Bayern Munich tragedy last year, where we got killed off after subbing Morata. Not again!
Allegri always has his hand in it, wins and losses.. always. And I’ll always support Allegri because he’s shown great intelligence in every match. He is ballsy when he has to be, if he has to be. THIS was a match that needed balls.. the one against Sevilla, maybe not yet.. too soon for all the stops.
Also, according to Gianni Balzarini, right before Sturaro was coming in Allegri got all up in his face and yelled “YOU HAVE TO EAT THEM!” at him. Allegri is a beast.. a smart beast.
Haha I saw that, Allegri screaming like a maniac into Sturaro’s face xD Thats another positive, finally having Sturaro back!
Sturarooooo, I’m so excited about having him back. He’s our own Gattuso, but smarter and with the potential to become even greater. But he is a beast and I love him.
I couldn´t have said it better. And we need all 11 palyers to be beasts to various degrees and each their own way. today they showed it.
Yes that is pretty much how I see him too! I’m a big Sturaro fan
Ditto!
Who would have said that prior to this game eh!
I meannnnn…. I like Cuadrado and was happy he came back…. but I don’t think anyone could’ve anticipated this.
I’m not going to be a hypocrite here, I wasnt excited with his return and remain very critical of him, but tonight he did exactly what we needed when he made that goal!
But the real Hero of tonight is indisputable, its Buffon
Great to see us win, and I look forward to watching the match..Yet the odd important goal does not make up for the regular misses and wretched decision making. He remains at best a useful squad player…
If he is cheap GP then we should keep JC, as these CL goals he gets are valuable. Tonights goal probably gets him another season anyway, such is the absurd nature of football. But Mario L should be left behind in Lyon….
As a squad player, for 20-25m no problem…I have always said he can cause opponents problems. Yet not as a vital component of our first XI. Far too hot and cold for that. Still not sure on Lemina, though as you may have noted I have been far from convinced since he signed and failed to understand the hype which seems to carry some in regards to his present and future value…I will watch the replay presently, then make a report if time and energy permit.
Yes my friend, that is what I meant. He got us the win, for which I am very happy and thankful, but I am not going to act like “wow Cuadrado, you are a god among mortals”.
He did good now, but it is the first positive of the season only
Oh, of course. Just like one mistake doesn’t turn a star into a lightbulb. Still, it was fun/funny that the deciding goal came from his feet. I like Cuadrado and consider him a great sub, so I’m happy he’s in our team.
Oh, definitely. If it hadn’t been for Buffon…… I don’t even want to consider that. I’m just thankful we have him.
UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE
God is among us, and his name is Gigi Buffon
The little ones also came up trumps…0-3 in the UEFA Youth League. Leris, Caligara and Clemenza got the goals. Kastanos also had one chalked off. We find ourselves top of the group, gathering momentum on all fronts and looking likely to finally qualify for the knock-out stage…
i dont like the guy , but i gotta say, what a fukn great strike, man, that was like a thunder bolt. And Gigi, you are god, i was hoping for a performance like this after few errors you did lately, fantastic, i knew that lacazette will not score, i felt it in my bones, 3 points home and we are through, great job, forza juve
I had the exact same feeling when he was lining up for the penalty kick. An easily given penalty, a crucial moment for both teams, no way Buffon was gonna let it through.
Buffon is a true god. Nuff said