And Our Group Is…
By: Inara | August 27th, 2009Their Champions League Group is Group E:
Liverpool
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debreceni VSC
We’ve never played Liverpool in the Champions League before, but we did have two interesting encounters against Fiorentina last season. As for Debreceni VSC, they are a Hungarian team debuting in the Champions League for the first time ever.
I think Lyon could have gotten a lot worse, but it also could have been a lot better (Arsenal and Manchester United, I’m looking at you). It’s not that Liverpool or Fiorentina scare me, since I think both teams are manageable, but it’s going to be a really tough fight for the top two spots in the group. Liverpool aren’t guaranteed top spot by any means, though I do think they’ll qualify for the knockout rounds. So like last year, Lyon and Fiorentina will once again have to duke it out to get out of the group stage.
What do you guys think?
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Ah sorry Jao – can see I got the wrong end of the stick. Good that we face Debreceni twice in a row. If we win our first game at home v Fiorentina and 2 in succession v Debreceni we would be in a very strong position with 2 spare games. I have a feeling that Debreceni will lose all their games and the matches between us, Liverpool and Fiorentina will be the only ones to matter. I’m optimistic we’ll get through, but I’m certainly nervous because Fiorentina and Liverpool are strong teams.
Posted from
United Kingdom
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Liverpool is strong? Ask Villa.
Posted from
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It’s not quite so simple Dave. Man United lost to Burnley recently for example, and these same doubts are not being thrown at them. Liverpool are incredibly good team with 2 players in Gerrard and Torres who could change a match in an instant. Teams go through periods of bad runs, as we should know all too well. Liverpool will be up and running soon enough. It’s worth saying that Tottenham and Villa are both very good sides with dangerous players. These games definitely do show that Lyon has the capacity to beat them though.
Posted from
United Kingdom -
I am optimistic as well because I think we have a realistic chance to get maybe 4 points from Liverpool. Marseille has played Liverpool pretty tough a few times as well (I believe they drew them two years in a row), although they got smoked once too. We could outplay them, the worry would be outplaying them and losing due to Gerrard/Torres taking advantage of defensive mistakes.
I am worried though because our match schedule (posted below) is about as shitty as it could possibly be. We start with Fiorentina at home, so better be ready, because if we do not get three points there we could be in trouble. Here’s why. First, Fiorentina has the back to back games against the weakest team, and we have to assume they will get 6 points in matchday 3 and 4. Second, Fiorentina play Liverpool on the last day. If Liverpool has already qualified, there is lots of danger here, because I looked at Liverpool’s schedule and they play Arsenal a few days after Matchday 6! If Liverpool has qualified before the last match this would be awful news for us if we haven’t yet qualified, because I can see Liverpool not caring at all about the match unless they are in danger of being 3rd place.
Whereas Lyon has to play Matchday 3 and 4 against Liverpool, which is pretty brutal, and after matchday 4 we will probably NEED a result at Fiorentina unless they choke against Debreceni.
So basically, we really do need to compete with Liverpool, elsewise the schedule does not play to OL’s advantage. There is no room for error at the beginning, and OL’s last two CL campaigns have had TERRIBLE starts (think especially 2 years ago, 3-0 loss to Rangers at home after getting spanked by Barca, but even last year where we went down 2-0 to Fiorentina at home before tying it with a shady goal, and then tying Bayern). 0 to 2 points in first two matches this year = Europa League.
I guess the one solace is that we play Debreceni at Gerland on Matchday 6, so if we need 3 points to advance that day and can’t get them we won’t deserve to advance anyway. And another solace is that our defense is actually better than it was in the group stages last year, if anyone remembers that nightmare.
All those worries aside I’d be quite surprised if we didn’t make it, and not surprised if we won the group. Liverpool’s CL run has been almost too good.
16.09.2009 v ACF Fiorentina (H) 20.45
29.09.2009 v Debreceni VSC (A) 20.45
20.10.2009 v Liverpool FC (A) 20.45
04.11.2009 v Liverpool FC (H) 20.45
24.11.2009 v ACF Fiorentina (A) 20.45
09.12.2009 v Debreceni VSC (H) 20.45Posted from
United States -
For those saying Liverpool’s not a great team because of that Villa loss that match had special circumstances. Liverpool were in control early and missed a great chance to score and a few minutes later Lucas put in an own goal trying to make a clearing header. Liverpool were shocked after that and completely lost their rythm. If not for the own goal I imagine it would’ve been a completely different story.
Anyways, they’re always a monster in Europe regardless of domestic form. Fortunately they haven’t replaced Xabi Alonso properly which really hurts their supply to Torres/Gerrard. Based on what i’ve seen from both teams I think Lyon are capable of getting 3/4 points off them.
As for Fiorentina they didn’t look that convincing against Sporting. We would’ve had 6 points against them last season if not for that defensive injury crisis. In that 2-2 draw we had Kallstrom at LB and Bodmer still learning how to play CB. I’m confident we’ll win the 1st 2 matches and really push Liverpool both home and away.
Posted from
Australia -
Oh, for the other French teams Marseille seems set for another Uefa cup run but I actually think Bordeaux can qualify ahead of Bayern with Juve on top spot. Maccabi Haifa aren’t pushovers either, they’ve got a lot of promising young players so I can see them taking points off somebody. Conveniently for us Bordeaux play Lyon at Gerland 4 days after playing in Israel (while we have a home tie vs Debrecen).
Posted from
Australia -
“And Debrecen is Debrecen.(On the same level like Creteil)”
Please don’t make jokes about our team. Hungary is proud to be back at the Champions League after 14 years. We will fight till the end, I’m looking for it. I will go to all three games and support our team, even If it is possible, that we couldn’t make a single point
Sure all three tames are much stronger then ours, but be carefull, we will fight till the end, even we don’t haven much potetntial in the team. And be aware, everyone MUST have 6 point against us, if they will qualify to the knockout stage. It makes pressure to the stronger teams, I hope Posted from
Hungary -
Sorry,Hawkz.Congratulations for qualfying for the CL!I am sure you will not end with 0 points,you will probably steal some points from Loserpool and Fiorentina but you will lose 6 points to LYON.
Posted from
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Can now everybody please stop replaying my “And Debrecen is Debrecen.(On the same level like Creteil)”
comment,LoL.I regret writing it. Posted from
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No prob Theo
I will agree, if we gain no point against Lyon, if we make some against Pool and Fiorentina. It would be a miracle, i think
But let’s make it happen! Posted from
Hungary -
nice writing from Mr. Paul Doyle at the guardian…
Raging bull Lisandro López blasts his way into the hearts of Lyon fans
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/aug/28/lisandro-lopez-lyon-ligue-1
Posted from
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We have more pressing issues than the CL: We are down to one converted-midfielder as our best CB!!! Boumsong will be out again this weekend with that adductor problem again. I hope it doesn’t become a chronic injury. Cleber is still hurt, so we have Cris- might as well play with 10 men- Bodmer and one of the adolescents backing-them up. I think Toulalan should ready himself to get alot of time at CB. Who is the best between Faure, Seguin and Fontaine? Has anyone seen this N’Diaye kid play?
Posted from
Costa Rica -
I hate to beat a horse that’s almost dead again, but the lack of incoming transfers is worrying. Needless to say we need a CB- a starter preferably- but a back-up at the least. I also saw that Grenoble are looking into getting Calve’ from Nancy on loan, and I think we should get him as cover for Toulalan when Makoun is off to the ACN and he can play RB too, which is good since we currently only have one with Clerc hurt and Gassama on his way to Strasbourg; we lost Mensah and F. Santos who could fill-in well.
Posted from
Costa Rica -
The only problem with that article is that I don’t know where he get that LiLo cost OL, half of Benzema’s sale price. 24mill isn’t half of 35, nor is 28 half of 40(prices including potential bonuses).
Posted from
Costa Rica -
I think nice draw. I wanted to have one english team in our group. We have a good chances to finish first if we continue to play, as we did now.
Other groups:
Group A. Bordeaux has a good chances to qualify for the next stage.
Group C. Very tough group for Marseille. But if they strong enough, they should show us their abilities and be 1-st or 2-nd in group.
Group D. (Atletico vs Porto – i think it would very interesting and spectacular matches). P.S. I would be very-very happy if Chelsea finishes 3-rd)(because i’m against all english teams)).
Group F. Dinamo Kiev and Rubin… Unfair! But I believe in russians. Davaj Kazan’!))Posted from
Lithuania -
My conclusion about the draw is that if we win the first game against Fiorentina, we are very likely to go through. Although one should never get ahead of himself in football.
I expect us to – at least – draw one game with Liverpool. But I expect much more of Lyon.
Posted from
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I totally agree with John here. It’s hard for me to be truly comfortable with this Lyon side unless the defense is strengthened. I just cannot believe that a team, the third highest spenders this summer, that made such terrific purchases, can overlook the OBVIOUS defensive frailties we have. Even if Puel has 100% confidence in Bodmer and Cris (and if he did, he’d be the only one), Mensah just left and Cleber Anderson is injured and will probably return to South America anyway. I don’t get how any team which has aspirations enough to spend 70m+ is content with only one backup CB (who happens to be named Boumsong).
Posted from
United States -
Also, here is another nice article about Lyon and Lisandromania, this time by ESPN: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=670731&sec=uefachampionsleague&root=uefachampionsleague&cc=5901
Posted from
United States -
A really awesome Lisandro interview. BTW Lyon ladies, he’s single and open to meeting people.
Posted from
United States -
draw is decent Liverpool should finish top,Lyon second Fior 3rd and Debrecen last-this cb situation is killing me the team is great but for Cb which is a shocker-I always new Lisandro was the real deal thats why I was desperate for Lyon to get him.
Posted from
United Kingdom -
maybe even a cheeky bid for Hilton of marseille,he is solid but deschamps doesnt like him
Posted from
United Kingdom -
on to ligue 1. nancy is a tough side and a win would really do well for our place in the standings. depending on the OM Bordeaux game we either could be in first or 5 points clear of Marseille. either would be good for us. i do not think you need to start toulalan and makoun.
cissohko boumsong cris revelliere
toulalan
Pjanic Kallstrom
Lopez Bastos
GomisPosted from
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Ian got the lineup exactly
Posted from
United States -
Nice goal by Gomis. But what did he mean when he made the handsignal of 2-0? That he scored twice this season? 2 goals in 4 games, is that something to brag about? I must know what he meant!!!!
Posted from
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Wrong place 2 post >_<
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