In a shocking result, Ligue 1 side, Olympique Lyonnais, crashed out of the Champions League following a penalty shootout against APOEL Nicosia. Michel Bastos and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexandre-Lacazette-c4895 both missed from the spot
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 have had their fair share of miracles in the Champions League in recent years. the most recent one was their extraordinary comeback in the 7-1 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb in Zagreb this season.
However, this time around, Remi Garde’s men were on the receiving end of a miraculous campaign when they faced Cyprus giants, APOEL Nicosia in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cyprus-c2881.
Les Gones arrived in Nicosia carrying a one-goal lead over the Cypriots. However, what Remi Garde’s men did not know was they were about to face a fearless APOEL side that would work hard to grind out a positive result.
Ahead of the game, Remi Garde’s men had recently lost 2-0 to Nancy Lorraine in the league and were on a run of four Ligue 1 games without a win.
Brazilian forward, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gustavo-Manduca-c15431 gave the home side an important lead in the game in the ninth minute. The goal meant that both sides were on level footing.
The GSP Stadium was vibrating with APOEL fans who were in for an historic night. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ederson-c11880 both came close to giving Lyon a lead but nothing happened.
The home side could have taken a lead through a http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-c16384 Lloris’ foot.
Both sides were desperate to get a goal that would have been a decisive one in a very cagey encounter. Lyon were totally out of ideas against a spirited and confident APOEL defence that was equal to everything thrown at them.
Ailton’s pace and energy was a major threat for Lyon defence. It was Bakary Kone who was at fault for the equalising goal. However, the youngster redeemed himself by keeping http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ailton-c4095 at bay.
The extreme sparring session of two halves continued into extra time. Manduca, who had equalised the game, was sent for an early shower in the 115th minute after accumulated bookings.
In the ends, the dreaded penalties were to decide a tough game.
Lisandro Lopez scored from the spot barely as his shot hit the post before going in. Alexander Lacazette stepped to take Lyon’s fourth penalty which was perfectly read by APOEL Nicosia goalkeeper Dionisis.
Michel Bastos was given the responsibility of taking the fifth penalty. The Brazilian saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper. The miss was the final nail in Lyon’s Champions League aspiration.
With Lyon struggling to move into the top three in Ligue 1 standings, Europe might not be able to see the seven-time Ligue 1 champions play in UCL next season which is certainly a sad news.
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