Mexes makes his mark
Monday, 5 March 2007
by Matthew Spiro
from Rome
Several Olympique Lyonnais players described AS Roma's cagey performance in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie as "typically Italian", but in reality the visitors' biggest obstacle came in the form of a resolute Frenchman.
Exciting conclusion
Former AJ Auxerre defender Philippe Mexes marshalled the Roma defence with authority throughout the tense goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico, setting up the prospect of an exciting conclusion to the tie in Lyon tomorrow. It will be the 24-year-old France international's first appearance in his homeland for nearly three years and he is looking forward to the challenge.
'Thrilled'
"I was thrilled when I first heard we were playing Lyon," Mexes told uefa.com. "I can't pretend it was just a normal game for me. When I come up against someone like Sidney Govou, who I know well from the France Under-21s and the senior team, it feels a bit strange. But above all it was a great pleasure to see so many familiar faces and it brought back some happy memories.
'Special'
"The return will be even more special because I haven't played in France since I left Auxerre. The French media will probably give me extra attention and I know if I have a poor game it won't go unnoticed. But I'm not worried about that. If anything I feel as though I'm under less pressure than my team-mates because I've already played at Stade Gerland many times."
'Threat'
Mexes, though, is yet to win in the three matches he has played there and will be looking to break that run tomorrow. "I never enjoyed much success at Stade Gerland when I was with Auxerre so I don't have a secret formula. It's going to be hard because Lyon have so much European experience. They've got all the qualities you need to be successful: they're strong at the back, they pass the ball well, counterattack with speed and pose a constant threat from set-pieces.
'Determined'
"We've got qualities of our own and we've got nothing to lose. Lyon, on the other hand, are expected to go through and will be under more pressure. But we believe in our chances. The [UEFA] Champions League is a magical competition and we're all determined to keep the adventure going for as long as possible."
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Lyon receive Roma with confidence
Olympique Lyonnais have a fourth successive UEFA Champions League quarter-final place in their sights as they welcome AS Roma to the Stade de Gerland. The French champions' 0-0 draw in Rome in the first leg of this knockout round tie leaves them as slight favourites, especially given their 18-match unbeaten run at home in European football's premier club competition.
• Lyon have won 12 of those 18 matches without loss, including victories in this season's group stage over Real Madrid CF (2-0) and FC Dynamo Kyiv (1-0). They drew 1-1 with FC Steaua Bucuresti in their most recent home fixture on 6 December, but had already secured their progress by then.
• Lyon's last defeat at home in the competition was back in October 2002 when an AFC Ajax team featuring Roma defender Cristian Chivu came away with a 2-0 victory in the first group stage.
• Roma had mixed fortunes on their travels in the group stage, winning 1-0 at Olympiacos CFP but going down to defeats at Valencia CF (1-2) and FC Shakhtar Donetsk (0-1). In 18 away matches spanning four campaigns in the UEFA Champions League, they have won five, drawn six and lost seven. The club are competing in the knockout stages for the first time.
• This is only the third visit to France for the Serie A side, who won 2-0 at FC Girondins de Bordeaux in the 1990/91 UEFA Cup third round. The following year they saw their UEFA Cup Winners' Cup hopes end with a 1-0 quarter-final reverse at AS Monaco FC. Overall, their record against French opposition reads two wins, three draws and one defeat.
• Lyon have faced Italian visitors five times previously on home soil, winning twice, drawing twice and losing once. Last season they were held 0-0 by AC Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final and eventually succumbed 3-1 on aggregate.
• The teams' goalless draw in the first leg in Rome was the first time in four successive attempts that Lyon had not won the away leg in a last 16 tie. Their home results have been even more impressive at this stage in recent seasons, with victories over Real Sociedad de Fútbol (1-0 in 2003/04), Werder Bremen (7-2 in 2004/05) and PSV Eindhoven (4-0 in 2005/06).
• The last side to win a UEFA Champions League tie after drawing the first leg at home were FC Porto in the 2003/04 semi-finals. Since then ten teams have tried but failed to regain the initiative in a tie following a home first-leg draw.
• Lyon coach Gérard Houllier got the better of Roma with his old club Liverpool FC in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup fourth round. Liverpool won the first leg 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico before a 1-0 victory for Roma at Anfield in the return.
• Four Lyon players and three from Roma faced off in the FIFA World Cup final last summer. Lyon's French internationals Eric Abidal, Alou Diarra, Florent Malouda and Sylvain Wiltord all featured in the final from which the Giallorossi's Italy trio of Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti emerged victorious.
• The winning team will advance to the 9 March draw in Athens for the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The Greek capital will also stage the final on Wednesday 23 May.
Monday, 5 March 2007
by Matthew Spiro
from Rome
Several Olympique Lyonnais players described AS Roma's cagey performance in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie as "typically Italian", but in reality the visitors' biggest obstacle came in the form of a resolute Frenchman.
Exciting conclusion
Former AJ Auxerre defender Philippe Mexes marshalled the Roma defence with authority throughout the tense goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico, setting up the prospect of an exciting conclusion to the tie in Lyon tomorrow. It will be the 24-year-old France international's first appearance in his homeland for nearly three years and he is looking forward to the challenge.
'Thrilled'
"I was thrilled when I first heard we were playing Lyon," Mexes told uefa.com. "I can't pretend it was just a normal game for me. When I come up against someone like Sidney Govou, who I know well from the France Under-21s and the senior team, it feels a bit strange. But above all it was a great pleasure to see so many familiar faces and it brought back some happy memories.
'Special'
"The return will be even more special because I haven't played in France since I left Auxerre. The French media will probably give me extra attention and I know if I have a poor game it won't go unnoticed. But I'm not worried about that. If anything I feel as though I'm under less pressure than my team-mates because I've already played at Stade Gerland many times."
'Threat'
Mexes, though, is yet to win in the three matches he has played there and will be looking to break that run tomorrow. "I never enjoyed much success at Stade Gerland when I was with Auxerre so I don't have a secret formula. It's going to be hard because Lyon have so much European experience. They've got all the qualities you need to be successful: they're strong at the back, they pass the ball well, counterattack with speed and pose a constant threat from set-pieces.
'Determined'
"We've got qualities of our own and we've got nothing to lose. Lyon, on the other hand, are expected to go through and will be under more pressure. But we believe in our chances. The [UEFA] Champions League is a magical competition and we're all determined to keep the adventure going for as long as possible."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyon receive Roma with confidence
Olympique Lyonnais have a fourth successive UEFA Champions League quarter-final place in their sights as they welcome AS Roma to the Stade de Gerland. The French champions' 0-0 draw in Rome in the first leg of this knockout round tie leaves them as slight favourites, especially given their 18-match unbeaten run at home in European football's premier club competition.
• Lyon have won 12 of those 18 matches without loss, including victories in this season's group stage over Real Madrid CF (2-0) and FC Dynamo Kyiv (1-0). They drew 1-1 with FC Steaua Bucuresti in their most recent home fixture on 6 December, but had already secured their progress by then.
• Lyon's last defeat at home in the competition was back in October 2002 when an AFC Ajax team featuring Roma defender Cristian Chivu came away with a 2-0 victory in the first group stage.
• Roma had mixed fortunes on their travels in the group stage, winning 1-0 at Olympiacos CFP but going down to defeats at Valencia CF (1-2) and FC Shakhtar Donetsk (0-1). In 18 away matches spanning four campaigns in the UEFA Champions League, they have won five, drawn six and lost seven. The club are competing in the knockout stages for the first time.
• This is only the third visit to France for the Serie A side, who won 2-0 at FC Girondins de Bordeaux in the 1990/91 UEFA Cup third round. The following year they saw their UEFA Cup Winners' Cup hopes end with a 1-0 quarter-final reverse at AS Monaco FC. Overall, their record against French opposition reads two wins, three draws and one defeat.
• Lyon have faced Italian visitors five times previously on home soil, winning twice, drawing twice and losing once. Last season they were held 0-0 by AC Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final and eventually succumbed 3-1 on aggregate.
• The teams' goalless draw in the first leg in Rome was the first time in four successive attempts that Lyon had not won the away leg in a last 16 tie. Their home results have been even more impressive at this stage in recent seasons, with victories over Real Sociedad de Fútbol (1-0 in 2003/04), Werder Bremen (7-2 in 2004/05) and PSV Eindhoven (4-0 in 2005/06).
• The last side to win a UEFA Champions League tie after drawing the first leg at home were FC Porto in the 2003/04 semi-finals. Since then ten teams have tried but failed to regain the initiative in a tie following a home first-leg draw.
• Lyon coach Gérard Houllier got the better of Roma with his old club Liverpool FC in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup fourth round. Liverpool won the first leg 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico before a 1-0 victory for Roma at Anfield in the return.
• Four Lyon players and three from Roma faced off in the FIFA World Cup final last summer. Lyon's French internationals Eric Abidal, Alou Diarra, Florent Malouda and Sylvain Wiltord all featured in the final from which the Giallorossi's Italy trio of Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti emerged victorious.
• The winning team will advance to the 9 March draw in Athens for the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The Greek capital will also stage the final on Wednesday 23 May.
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