Lyon president reflects on positive points of loss to Benfica
Olympique Lyonnais suffered a disappointing loss in their UEFA Champions League group stage match against Benfica on Tuesday, 2 November, but the club’s president Jean-Michel Aulas is trying to look at the positives from the game.
The French giants fell 4-3 to the Portuguese club at the Estadio da Luz. Lyon were 3-0 down by half-time due to goals by Alan Kardec, Fabio Coentrao and Javi Garcia.
While they shipped another goal when Coentrao doubled his tally for the night after 67 minutes, Lyon worked their way back into the match and scored three goals in the last 15 minutes with Yoann Gourcuff, Bafetimbi Gomis and Dejan Lovren all finding the net
for the visitors.
Aulas told Lyon’s official website that his side’s goals in the clash could prove to be crucial as it gives them the head-to-head advantage over Benfica.
'Defeat was inevitable'
He said that: “The defeat was inevitable, but we had to score to correct the goal difference.”
Despite the defeat, Lyon remain at the top of their group as Schalke failed to beat Hapoel Tel Aviv in the other Group B game on Tuesday. A win against Benfica would have seen them book their place in the last-16 stage of the tournament.
Aulas added that: “It’s disappointing because we came to definitively qualify. It is important to recognise when there are shortcomings. The players will benefit from this disappointing performance I think. But don’t forget, it’s difficult to score three goals
away to Benfica.”
Despite Lyon’s good form in the Champions League, they have struggled domestically. In their 11 league games so far this season, they have claimed just 15 points, having won four games and drawn three.
That has led to manager Claude Puel being placed under pressure and while he was able to spur his side on to make a comeback against Benfica, the loss will put the coach under increased scrutiny.
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