Coupe de France, Lyon vs Bordeaux : cold outside, hot inside

By: Megame | February 8th, 2012

However busy Gerland gardeners may have been to ensure this game would not be cancelled due to the current cold wave striking in Europe, the French football authorities tried to get a few more degrees in anticipating it to 4.15 PM instead of 9PM, in the hope that a few afternoon sunrays would heat up the atmosphere. So much for those (especially ticket holders) who had planned to watch the game after work.

borlyon

Not worth watching ?
But, despite the conditions, this game is interesting. First, because as reactive as it may currently be (why start playing before getting led two goals to nil ?), Olympique Lyonnais is only one of the two French clubs still alive on all fronts (Championship, Champions League, Coupe de la Ligue, Coupe de France). And, contrary to what Francis Gillot, the Bordeaux coach, thinks, it doesn’t seem in the nature of the current staff to let the match go, just because Lyon have a busy program. Why ? Because everyone in the locker room and the staff office is desperately hoping to grab at least one piece of silverware. Second, because this is Bordeaux, and confrontations between the two clubs in recent years have always been intense. This clash has already taken place a hundred times since the first September 30, 1951 (when Bordeaux won 6-1!). Just two years ago, these two teams have made sparks in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Indeed, times have changed. Since then, both clubs went down a notch (a bigger one for Bordeaux, though). But both very much count on this Cup. Already assured to play the final of the League Cup, OL is no stranger to the France Cup either, having been winners four times (1964, 1967, 1973, 2008) and finalists seven times. And Bordeaux, on the way to recovery (it’s never too late..) place great hopes in this competition, and obviously eye Lyon’s current issues (who said « defense »? Me, really?) with relish. They hope to make the headlines. But this OL team is now so much used to moving mountains, or at least to saving its life finally (in front of Saint-Etienne, Zagreb, Lille, Lorient, Marseille), that it can certainly be up to such a challenge again.

Scratching Garde’s head
But who to write on the gamesheet? Garde is far less akin to turnover as his predecessor Claude-booh-Puel was, but stability isn’t ideal either : at some point the pillars of the team risk fading out, like –possibly- Licha who seems to have lost his edge a bit, recently. So, despite the intentions to win this game and go to the next round, reality has to come in at some point : Bordeaux is not exactly Marseille, and there’s a championship game next Saturday against Caen, plus a CL game (against Nicosie) three days later. So, that’s a good opportunity to give playing time to players who are very fresh (in other terms, who have been rotting on the bench for quite some time). That’s why Gourcuff and Cris are likely to start, like Ederson who keeps a positive attitude despite the negociations for a contract extension seemingly going nowhere. Also, it will allow playing time to those of the most promising kids who play less (Lacazette, but especially Dabo, Fofana)

The lucky ones who will go play on frozen grass with 3 pairs of socks:
OL
Lloris, Réveillère, Cris, B.Koné, Dabo, Fofana, Källström, Lacazette, Gourcuff, Ederson, Lisandro

Bordeaux
Carrasso – Henrique – Ciani – Trémoulinas – Planus – Mariano – Obraniak – Sertic – Plasil – Gouffran – Jussiê

Allez l’OL !

Some Related Lyon Posts:

Category: Team News and Rumors

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Megame

Starting 11 in Gerland to host Caen:
Lloris - Réveillère, B.Koné, Umtiti, Cissokho - Gonalons, Grenier, Briand, Bastos - Lisandro, Gomis

Despite what they showed this week, still no Gourcuff nor Ederson...
Muadz matmu

Qatar wants to buy another french team, so that PSG would have a rival. What say you guys?
Aleksander

No thanks, I want Lyon to be successful, but i prefer working hard to obtain it rather than getting it right into our hands like PSG. Our youth players are also very promising, and if we manage to hold onto them I believe we will be fighting for the title again in just a few seasons. Already now are Fofana, Lacazette, Gonalons, Lovren, Kone etc becoming key components in our squad. Soon the likes of Grenier, Belfodil, kolodziejczak, Umiti and more will follow them. Our homegrown talent can make us title contenders and maybe even contenders in Europe if we manage to hold on to them!
Megame

For those who could watch the game, who are your men of the match?
Personally I'd suggest Lacazette and Ederson.
Carvivlie

I'd have to say Lacazette as he did score and looked the most dangerous.
Megame

For those who couldn't watch the game (or got caught by surprise by the change of schedule, only 24h before the game), Bordeaux scored first (Jussié, 23d min), then Lacazette equalized (36th min) and despite numerous OL attempts a burning hot Carrasso (and to some extent, a lack of finishing skills from some of our players) managed to keep the scoreline as it was until the end of the 93 minutes. So the game went to extra time, and that's where the lack of bench depth of Bordeaux started to show. Gomis (96th min) and finally Briand (118th min) put the nail in the coffin.3-1 final score. OL reach the quarterfinals.
Megame

Bafe is on fire at the moment. 1 goal per match in the last 5 games, whether he's been starting or not...
He's already been scoring a whopping 18 goals, after just about two thirds of the season... Man, what a progression!
Luke99

The thing with Gomis and Briand is that they lack confidence once they stop scoring. On the other hand Lisandro and Bastos are mentally more stronger because they always perform the same unless they're fatigued but whatever the case is i think Lyon really stand a big chance of pulling off the treble this season Coupe de la ligue final coupe de france quarters and we still have a very good chance at winning the league judging by the fixture schedule the only difficult games we have left are home to PSG home to Lille away to st Etienne away to Rennes away to Toulouse and away to Evian the rest are all easy opponents bottom half teams and have to travel to Lyon which we all know is tough venue to beat Lyon and with the team performing like this at the moment anything is possible even the kids are winning us games and stepping up gears Lacazette, Grenier,Gonalons, fofana and even Umtiti who i believe is better than Cris
Russ

I certainly couldn't argue against those points about Bafe and Briand, I just feel like Briand isn't a natural winger. Regardless, you're right it's great to see the likes of Lacazette and Umtiti performing extremely well of late. Grenier needs time but hes come on very strong, Gonalons has improved dramatically from last season, and fofana's starting to fit in with the group and is showing his colors. I still don't think we have a shot in hell at the treble, for I believe that we have no chance at winning the league. We are starting to rely alot more on the younger players and you know theyre gonna show their growing pains during inopportune times, that is to be expected. Plus an extremely clogged fixture list is really going to test the depth in this squad, which I do believe we have, when healthy. For me though, a top 3 finish will rest on the shoulders of Gourcuff. He needs to man up and perform at the level that he's capable of. No more excuses for him. I can't see how we keep him after the season if he continues on like he has been. Hes in his second season now, no more excuses for him, and I don't want to hear the injury excuse. Take a player like andres iniesta, who seems to pull a hamstrin or quad muscle every other month of his entire career, but when he recovers he shows his class and quality.
lefutur

I think he might just make it to the Euro for France at this rate.
muffin

For sure. He's a changed man this season. Finally looks like a player worth of 13m€ transfer fee.
But he must keep this level. Between his goals against Nancy and Dijon he had a three month goal drought in Ligue 1. If it hadn't been for that, he'd probably have as much or even more goals than Giroud right now in Ligue 1.
Russ

id love it if garde played a 4-4-2 and if we can get Licha and Bafe firing on all cylinders together. Here's a funny thing though FSC showed Benfica vs Lyon last night; the game in which we went 4-0 down and lost 4-3 in Lisbon. Due to Licha's injury Briand started up top as the lone front man, and wow did he look dangerous throughout the entire match. I just don't feel like Briand is well suited on the Right Side of the attack. I wish Garde gave him more opportunities as a front man bc hes extremely quick and does have a strikers instinct in front of goal. We really need to get Briand going. Plus the game made me sad bc Pjanic was in it. Shouldn't have sold him, I would have much preferred to sell Gourcuff
Luke99

whAt a fucking goal
lefutur

4 competitions baby! Love this team :)
Carvivlie

Amazing team play!
Carvivlie

Oh, let's not do anything stupid now. Hold it together Alex.
lefutur

3 bordelais coming on
Carvivlie

I don't understand Bordeaux. Do they have no confidence in anyone on their bench? Even just for some fresh legs?
Carvivlie

And the moment I say it they change 3 players :))
sdzsdz

haha gomis loves to score in extra time!
lefutur

Gomis the goal machine.
Carvivlie

Yes Yes Yes!!!!!! Gomis!!!!!
lefutur

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lefutur

Planus is sucking air big time. LOL
Carvivlie

Allez, Allez Lyon!!!! Let's end this!
lefutur

Are Bordeaux hoping that it goes to penalties? They are playing so defensive how can they expect to score.
sdzsdz

this game should've been done in regulation. these extra times are exhausting the team.. damn bordeaux for playing so defensively
sdzsdz

briand for dabo. bastos is moving to lb and kallstrom?
Carvivlie

If Dabo has a knock why not put in Aly?
Carvivlie

Jimmy is coming in
Carvivlie

The cold has to be the reason for the bad touches. Just too many!
Carvivlie

Cris did what he had to do but thank g-d only a yellow. Wish Lovren would get well soon.
lefutur

cris yellow card
sdzsdz

bastos needs to come in for ederson
sdzsdz

yes!
sdzsdz

kallstrom is playing poorly
lefutur

Maybe Grenier will come on for Kallstrom.
Carvivlie

Ah, Gourcuff was playing well--moving the ball around nicely. But I guess he is the obvious choice to come out for a striker.
lefutur

There was too much pressure on Lisandro and he kept getting caught in the offside trap. This should help.
Carvivlie

True, and when was the last time Gourcuff played? He's not ready to go 90 minutes. I just think he brings so much more creativity to the pitch.
lefutur

Gomis coming on?
Carvivlie

Ay, ay, ay 4 in the box and awful cross
lefutur

its hard to imagine that OL wont score at least one more goal at this rate. good workrate, intensity, and conviction in getting forward. keep it up boys!
Carvivlie

Moving the ball around nicely but need that killer touch
sdzsdz

ederson is playing incredibly well
lefutur

We have quite a few offensive options don't we. Its a good sign for the future.
Megame

I don't think Carasso, Bordeaux's goalie, is feeling too cold at the moment...
Megame

Wow, another very close opportunity from Lyon
Megame

Anyway, Lyon are looking quite dangerous now, with a few occasions in the last mins
Megame

Grap. Goal, but offside.
lefutur

Great pressure from Lyon!
lefutur

Lisandro not too sharp with that attempt.
Megame

Good attempt from Eder, wide but only just.
Megame

Current temperature on the pitch : minus 7 degrees celsius...
Megame

Half time, 1-1. Bordeaux playing with 5 defenders, obviously focusing on counterattacks. Lyon looking better towards the end of that period, with good combinations, and bringing danger to Carasso's net.
Carvivlie

Yeah, I think it took the team time to settle in. Alot of our front players haven't really played with each other before in this combination. I think it took time to feel each other out and see how they were going to move, etc.
lefutur

Lacazette is awesome at being at the right place at the right time. Great instincts in that kid.
sdzsdz

golllll!!! lacaszette! wow! i think offensively this is some of the best football we've played this season. we're against a very stingy defense. fofana and dabo are playing very very well. and our mid is doing good too, ederson is doing well and cuff pretty much assisted that goal. it's just our absolutely shit defense thats letting us down. im even kind of dissapointed at lloris for not saving that gol.
Carvivlie

Brilliiant by Gourcuff! 1-1
Megame

YES!!! Lacazette! 1-1 !
lefutur

How is Gourcuff playing? I heard he lost the ball that led to the goal.
Carvivlie

He lost the ball in the final 3rd so can hardly blame him. It was Kone's mistake.
lefutur

Seems like Gourcuff hasn't played in forever. At least he got the assist.
Carvivlie

Yeah I'm happy for him. He needs the confidence booster.
Carvivlie

Kim needs to get on his bike. He has given the ball easily away, in bad positions, several times now.
Megame

Now that Jussié opened the scoreline, and that we're led as usual, may we please start playing to win this game? I can't believe this obligation to get kicked in the ass to move forward.
lefutur

ouch. 1-0 Bordeaux
Carvivlie

I know it was Kone's mistake--I wasn't expecting it more likely to be Cris--who I wish we would replace bec I still feel he is a liability.
sdzsdz

oof. gol bordeaux.
its a shame because we've been playing so well.
big mistake by kone, and lloris didnt do particularly well either.
what a shame..
Megame

Crap. 0-1.