Comments on: Aftermath: What’s in the Press http://lyon.theoffside.com/team-news/aftermath-whats-in-the-press.html News from Olympique Lyonnais Football Club Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:59:55 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Storm http://lyon.theoffside.com/team-news/aftermath-whats-in-the-press.html#comment-6993 Storm Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:18:29 +0000 http://lyon.theoffside.com/team-news/aftermath-whats-in-the-press.html#comment-6993 Strange how just a few weeks ago Coupet's apparent absence at Ibrox would have been a disaster. Vercoutre's past few matches really have been so strong that, albeit a fully fit Coupet would still be a preferred option, he (Vercoutre) does seem capable of meeting the challenge. Who would ever have thought that after the first leg Rangers. Strange how just a few weeks ago Coupet’s apparent absence at Ibrox would have been a disaster. Vercoutre’s past few matches really have been so strong that, albeit a fully fit Coupet would still be a preferred option, he (Vercoutre) does seem capable of meeting the challenge. Who would ever have thought that after the first leg Rangers.

]]> By: Ush http://lyon.theoffside.com/team-news/aftermath-whats-in-the-press.html#comment-6976 Ush Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:08:51 +0000 http://lyon.theoffside.com/team-news/aftermath-whats-in-the-press.html#comment-6976 Also, lets not forget Yaya Toure came from Ligue 1 and I've seen him make some dreadful, late and awkward tackles. Rijkaard should put his dummy back in his mouth and stop throwing his toys out of his pram. Also, lets not forget Yaya Toure came from Ligue 1 and I’ve seen him make some dreadful, late and awkward tackles. Rijkaard should put his dummy back in his mouth and stop throwing his toys out of his pram.

]]> By: Inara http://lyon.theoffside.com/team-news/aftermath-whats-in-the-press.html#comment-6956 Inara Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:37:08 +0000 http://lyon.theoffside.com/team-news/aftermath-whats-in-the-press.html#comment-6956 To be honest, I accept tackling and the physical aspect of the sport, and of course any team would be smart to stop Juninho - it's part and parcel of the game, and frankly, as long as the tackle isn't dangerous, it often leads to a scoring opportunity for Lyon - free kicks and all that. It's why players like Benzema, Ben Arfa, and other smaller players need to develop more muscle mass - so they can more easily withstand the fouls they are bound to receive. Messi got tackled as harshly as Juninho did last night, but I'm not bothered by it because that's what's going to happen. When you have such skillful and dangerous players against players that lack that same level of technical ability, it's sometimes easier to knock them over (as long as it's not in the penalty box). Take this stat for example: in general, Lyon tend to accumulate a very high amount of fouls per match (they are currently leading their CL group with the most number of fouls). But they don't get many yellow cards, and that's because they make <em>smart </em>fouls. There's a difference between knocking someone over and intending to cause harm (like that Binya tackle) - and with all due respect to Rijkaard, there was no excessive use of physical force last night. He was demanding a red card for a Lyon foul (I believe it was Anderson (?) on Messi), but then you can also say that Marquez should have been expelled for his foul on Govou. At the end of the day, it was all even and no harm was done, so for me, it's a non issue. My beef with Scottish football isn't so much their use of physical force as it is with the fact that often times, that's <em>all</em> they rely on instead of attempting to foster some technical ability. I don't mind seeing bodies flying over the pitch, but not tactics that revolve on hoofing the ball up the pitch instead of trying to string together three decent passes. To be honest, I accept tackling and the physical aspect of the sport, and of course any team would be smart to stop Juninho – it’s part and parcel of the game, and frankly, as long as the tackle isn’t dangerous, it often leads to a scoring opportunity for Lyon – free kicks and all that. It’s why players like Benzema, Ben Arfa, and other smaller players need to develop more muscle mass – so they can more easily withstand the fouls they are bound to receive.

Messi got tackled as harshly as Juninho did last night, but I’m not bothered by it because that’s what’s going to happen. When you have such skillful and dangerous players against players that lack that same level of technical ability, it’s sometimes easier to knock them over (as long as it’s not in the penalty box). Take this stat for example: in general, Lyon tend to accumulate a very high amount of fouls per match (they are currently leading their CL group with the most number of fouls). But they don’t get many yellow cards, and that’s because they make smart fouls.

There’s a difference between knocking someone over and intending to cause harm (like that Binya tackle) – and with all due respect to Rijkaard, there was no excessive use of physical force last night. He was demanding a red card for a Lyon foul (I believe it was Anderson (?) on Messi), but then you can also say that Marquez should have been expelled for his foul on Govou. At the end of the day, it was all even and no harm was done, so for me, it’s a non issue.

My beef with Scottish football isn’t so much their use of physical force as it is with the fact that often times, that’s all they rely on instead of attempting to foster some technical ability. I don’t mind seeing bodies flying over the pitch, but not tactics that revolve on hoofing the ball up the pitch instead of trying to string together three decent passes.

]]> By: Sprinter http://lyon.theoffside.com/team-news/aftermath-whats-in-the-press.html#comment-6955 Sprinter Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:23:30 +0000 http://lyon.theoffside.com/team-news/aftermath-whats-in-the-press.html#comment-6955 Good post, but it seems to me that if the issue ran the other way, then this argument would change with it. Let's say the Rangers are being overly physical with Lyon next matchday. Arguing that the SPL is "just very physical" would give you little consolation. Also, the false choice between "dangerous tackling" and "letting Juninho run free" would seem just as silly to you as your arugment would seem to a Barca fan right now. Good post, but it seems to me that if the issue ran the other way, then this argument would change with it. Let’s say the Rangers are being overly physical with Lyon next matchday. Arguing that the SPL is “just very physical” would give you little consolation. Also, the false choice between “dangerous tackling” and “letting Juninho run free” would seem just as silly to you as your arugment would seem to a Barca fan right now.

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