United’s centre backs are aiming for a clean sheet in Lyon tonight, but warn it won’t be easy.
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were both delighted with the Reds’ weekend mauling of Arsenal – not least because the Gunners failed to find the net – and hope United can carry that form into tonight’s Champions League last 16 first leg.
“We had a bad result against Manchester City and we couldn’t wait for the next game so we could put things right,” Vidic told MUTV.
“We’ve done that now – we won 4-0 in an amazing game against Arsenal. That was a nice feeling but now there’s another game to look forward to and we’d love to reproduce that form.”
Ferdinand says the United squad know all about their French opponents and won’t take anything for granted.
“We expect a tough game and they’ve got this far in the competition for a reason: they’re a very good side. The manager’s drilled us and we’re well informed about Lyon. We’ve seen bits on the television and we played them a couple of years ago.
“If we can score an away goal then we’re halfway there, as long as we don’t concede more than one or two ourselves. But our aim is to keep a clean sheet – that will really make life easier in the return leg.
“Last season we reached the semi final and were knocked out by the eventual winners. This time we want to go one or two better than that.
“But there are some big teams standing in our way – the first one’s Lyon. It’s going to be difficult but I think we have the players to achieve things in Europe this season.”
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Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Beware the underdog
Patrice Evra insists United must ignore their status as favourites going into Wednesday night’s tricky Champions League clash with Lyon.
The reigning Ligue 1 champions have been in mixed form of late, but Evra insists they will thrive on their underdog status, just as he did as part of the Monaco side which shocked Europe by reaching the 2004 final.
“It’s a bit like Monaco’s situation against Real Madrid, when everybody was tipping them to win,” he told the pre-match press conference.
“That seriously annoyed us and we ended up beating them, so it just goes to show that you need total respect for your opponents or you could get a nasty surprise."
United are on a high after beating title rivals Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday. By comparison, Lyon continued their inconsistent form since the turn of the year with a 1-0 defeat to Le Mans at the weekend. But Evra won't be paying too much attention to domestic results.
“Just because we put a beautiful performance in against Arsenal last weekend doesn’t mean that it’s going to be the same against Lyon," he added. "They have won their championship for the last six years on the run, they’re in the last 16 so clearly they’re a major team.
“We must show them serious respect. We don’t want to fall into the trap of not respecting them and end up struggling to qualify. But, at such a big club like United, with Sir Alex at the helm, it’s very difficult to actually lose concentration.” Read more...
The reigning Ligue 1 champions have been in mixed form of late, but Evra insists they will thrive on their underdog status, just as he did as part of the Monaco side which shocked Europe by reaching the 2004 final.
“It’s a bit like Monaco’s situation against Real Madrid, when everybody was tipping them to win,” he told the pre-match press conference.
“That seriously annoyed us and we ended up beating them, so it just goes to show that you need total respect for your opponents or you could get a nasty surprise."
United are on a high after beating title rivals Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday. By comparison, Lyon continued their inconsistent form since the turn of the year with a 1-0 defeat to Le Mans at the weekend. But Evra won't be paying too much attention to domestic results.
“Just because we put a beautiful performance in against Arsenal last weekend doesn’t mean that it’s going to be the same against Lyon," he added. "They have won their championship for the last six years on the run, they’re in the last 16 so clearly they’re a major team.
“We must show them serious respect. We don’t want to fall into the trap of not respecting them and end up struggling to qualify. But, at such a big club like United, with Sir Alex at the helm, it’s very difficult to actually lose concentration.” Read more...
United eye £30m Kar
The striker who could wreck the Champions League hopes of Manchester United will catch Sir Alex Ferguson’s eye tonight. But Fergie is adamant he hasn’t talked to French opponents Lyon about signing £30 million rated Karim Benzema. The marksman, 20, is being monitored by Europe’s top clubs, but Ferguson insists he didn’t discuss a deal with Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas when they dined together 12 days ago before watching Benzema hit his 25th goal of the season in a 4-1 win over Sochaux. United have also been linked with Lyon midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa.
George Scott, Daily Star Read more...
George Scott, Daily Star Read more...
Lyon Vs. Manchester United Match Preview
Lyon coach Alain Perrin believes the open style of football practised by English clubs gives his side a great chance of causing an upset against Manchester United in the Champions League last 16. Perrin knows about the Premier League thanks to his short stint as manager of Portsmouth between April and November 2005.
His eight months at Fratton Park may have been seen by many as a failure - his record shows only four wins from 21 games - but they gave him an insight into life in the blood-and-thunder English top flight. And ahead of tomorrow's last-16 first leg at the Stade Gerland, Perrin is confident his team will be afforded opportunities to trouble United, who are currently in second place in the Barclays Premier League.
``We can rightly compare this to a tennis match between the second-ranked player in the world and the 15th-ranked player,'' he said. ``In 10 matches, we would lose six or seven of them. But we would win the others. ``And English football always gives an opponent the hope of succeeding. The game is less padlocked than in Italy, for example, and you get the feeling you can achieve something against them.
``But you always return to the same old axiom: there are exceptional players that make the difference. Cristiano Ronaldo is on fire at the moment, and (Wayne) Rooney is really strong.'' After being sacked by Portsmouth, Perrin had six months out of football before taking up the coaching post at Ligue 1 side Sochaux. His managerial integrity returned in the year he spent at the small Montbeliard club, who he guided into Europe after winning the Coupe de France.
He was appointed coach of Lyon, the reigning six-time French champions, last summer and Les Gones have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and currently sit atop the Ligue 1 standings. But a 1-0 loss to Le Mans on Saturday means they are just one point above second-placed Bordeaux, and Perrin is rumoured to have had frank talks with club president Jean-Michel Aulas after the lacklustre defeat.
Perrin's credentials have also been questioned following Les Gones' sluggish start to 2008, but he does not see himself suddenly having come under pressure. ``There isn't any concern, I know the group has the necessary resources and the means to react,'' he said. ``I haven't just suddenly discovered this pressure, it is with me each match. I know about the fragility linked with football.
``And there is always this pressure at Lyon. I am hardened to it and I am strong enough mentally not to be destabilised by all this. ``Pressure comes from within. The only pressure comes from my desire to succeed.'' There is no doubt all is not right in the Lyon squad, with even Perrin admitting ``the team is drifting at the moment``. Injuries to players like entre-back Cris, goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and striker Fred has meant Perrin has often been without key performers in the spine of his team this season.
It is the closest title race in Ligue 1 for a number of years, while Lyon have the psychological barrier to climb of knowing they have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Perrin is confident his underdogs will give it a good shot against United over the two legs. ``We know we are not favourites,'' he said.
``But that is going to allow us to play with a certain calmness, in the hope of causing an upset.'' Perrin will be boosted by the return to the squad of Cris, the Brazilian ball-playing defender who has been out of action since August with a knee injury. ``It is good news for everyone,'' added Perrin, who is unlikely to play the club captain from the start. Read more...
His eight months at Fratton Park may have been seen by many as a failure - his record shows only four wins from 21 games - but they gave him an insight into life in the blood-and-thunder English top flight. And ahead of tomorrow's last-16 first leg at the Stade Gerland, Perrin is confident his team will be afforded opportunities to trouble United, who are currently in second place in the Barclays Premier League.
``We can rightly compare this to a tennis match between the second-ranked player in the world and the 15th-ranked player,'' he said. ``In 10 matches, we would lose six or seven of them. But we would win the others. ``And English football always gives an opponent the hope of succeeding. The game is less padlocked than in Italy, for example, and you get the feeling you can achieve something against them.
``But you always return to the same old axiom: there are exceptional players that make the difference. Cristiano Ronaldo is on fire at the moment, and (Wayne) Rooney is really strong.'' After being sacked by Portsmouth, Perrin had six months out of football before taking up the coaching post at Ligue 1 side Sochaux. His managerial integrity returned in the year he spent at the small Montbeliard club, who he guided into Europe after winning the Coupe de France.
He was appointed coach of Lyon, the reigning six-time French champions, last summer and Les Gones have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and currently sit atop the Ligue 1 standings. But a 1-0 loss to Le Mans on Saturday means they are just one point above second-placed Bordeaux, and Perrin is rumoured to have had frank talks with club president Jean-Michel Aulas after the lacklustre defeat.
Perrin's credentials have also been questioned following Les Gones' sluggish start to 2008, but he does not see himself suddenly having come under pressure. ``There isn't any concern, I know the group has the necessary resources and the means to react,'' he said. ``I haven't just suddenly discovered this pressure, it is with me each match. I know about the fragility linked with football.
``And there is always this pressure at Lyon. I am hardened to it and I am strong enough mentally not to be destabilised by all this. ``Pressure comes from within. The only pressure comes from my desire to succeed.'' There is no doubt all is not right in the Lyon squad, with even Perrin admitting ``the team is drifting at the moment``. Injuries to players like entre-back Cris, goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and striker Fred has meant Perrin has often been without key performers in the spine of his team this season.
It is the closest title race in Ligue 1 for a number of years, while Lyon have the psychological barrier to climb of knowing they have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Perrin is confident his underdogs will give it a good shot against United over the two legs. ``We know we are not favourites,'' he said.
``But that is going to allow us to play with a certain calmness, in the hope of causing an upset.'' Perrin will be boosted by the return to the squad of Cris, the Brazilian ball-playing defender who has been out of action since August with a knee injury. ``It is good news for everyone,'' added Perrin, who is unlikely to play the club captain from the start. Read more...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
LYON, February 19 (Champions League) - Lyon coach Alain Perrin believes the open style of football practised by English clubs gives his side a great c
LYON, February 19 (Champions League) - Lyon coach Alain Perrin believes the open style of football practised by English clubs gives his side a great chance of causing an upset against Manchester United in the Champions League last 16.
Perrin knows about the Premier League thanks to his short stint as manager of Portsmouth between April and November 2005.
His eight months at Fratton Park may have been seen by many as a failure - his overall record reads just four wins from 21 games in charge of Pompey - but they gave him an insight into life in the blood-and-thunder English top flight.
And ahead of Wednesday's last-16 first leg at the Stade Gerland, Perrin is confident his team will be afforded opportunities to trouble United, who are currently in second place in the Premier League.
'We can rightly compare this to a tennis match between the second-ranked player in the world and the 15th-ranked player,' he said.
'In 10 matches, we would lose six or seven of them. But we would win the others.
'And English football always gives an opponent the hope of succeeding. The game is less padlocked than in Italy, for example, and you get the feeling you can achieve something against them.
'But you always return to the same old axiom: there are exceptional players that make the difference. Cristiano Ronaldo is on fire at the moment, and (Wayne) Rooney is really strong.'
After being sacked by Portsmouth, Perrin had six months out of football before taking up the coaching post at Ligue 1 side Sochaux.
His managerial integrity returned in the year he spent at the small Montbeliard club, who he guided into Europe after winning the Coupe de France.
He was appointed coach of Lyon, the reigning six-time French champions, last summer and Les Gones have reached the knockout stages of Champions League and currently sit atop the Ligue 1 standings.
But a 1-0 loss to Le Mans on Saturday meant they are just one point above second-placed Bordeaux, and Perrin is rumoured to have had frank talks with club president Jean-Michel Aulas after the lacklustre defeat.
Perrin's credentials have also been questioned following Les Gones' sluggish start to 2008 but he does not see himself suddenly having come under pressure.
'There isn't any concern - I know the group has the necessary resources and the means to react,' he said.
'I haven't just suddenly discovered this pressure - it is with me each match. I know about the fragility linked with football.
'And there is always this pressure at Lyon. I am hardened to it and I am strong enough mentally not to be destabilised by all this.
'Pressure comes from within. The only pressure comes from my desire to succeed.'
There is no doubt all is not right in the Lyon squad, with even Perrin admitting 'the team is drifting at the moment'.
Injuries to players like centre-back Cris, goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and striker Fred has meant Perrin has often been without key performers in the spine of his team this season.
It is the closest title race in Ligue 1 for a number of years, while Lyon have the psychological barrier to climb of knowing they have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Perrin is confident his underdogs will give it a good shot against United over the two legs.
'We know we are not favourites,' he said.
'But that is going to allow us to play with a certain calmness, in the hope of causing an upset.'
Perrin will be boosted by the return to the squad of Cris, the Brazilian ball-playing defender who has been out of action since August with a knee injury.
'It is good news for everyone,' added Perrin, who is unlikely to play the club captain from the start. Read more...
Perrin knows about the Premier League thanks to his short stint as manager of Portsmouth between April and November 2005.
His eight months at Fratton Park may have been seen by many as a failure - his overall record reads just four wins from 21 games in charge of Pompey - but they gave him an insight into life in the blood-and-thunder English top flight.
And ahead of Wednesday's last-16 first leg at the Stade Gerland, Perrin is confident his team will be afforded opportunities to trouble United, who are currently in second place in the Premier League.
'We can rightly compare this to a tennis match between the second-ranked player in the world and the 15th-ranked player,' he said.
'In 10 matches, we would lose six or seven of them. But we would win the others.
'And English football always gives an opponent the hope of succeeding. The game is less padlocked than in Italy, for example, and you get the feeling you can achieve something against them.
'But you always return to the same old axiom: there are exceptional players that make the difference. Cristiano Ronaldo is on fire at the moment, and (Wayne) Rooney is really strong.'
After being sacked by Portsmouth, Perrin had six months out of football before taking up the coaching post at Ligue 1 side Sochaux.
His managerial integrity returned in the year he spent at the small Montbeliard club, who he guided into Europe after winning the Coupe de France.
He was appointed coach of Lyon, the reigning six-time French champions, last summer and Les Gones have reached the knockout stages of Champions League and currently sit atop the Ligue 1 standings.
But a 1-0 loss to Le Mans on Saturday meant they are just one point above second-placed Bordeaux, and Perrin is rumoured to have had frank talks with club president Jean-Michel Aulas after the lacklustre defeat.
Perrin's credentials have also been questioned following Les Gones' sluggish start to 2008 but he does not see himself suddenly having come under pressure.
'There isn't any concern - I know the group has the necessary resources and the means to react,' he said.
'I haven't just suddenly discovered this pressure - it is with me each match. I know about the fragility linked with football.
'And there is always this pressure at Lyon. I am hardened to it and I am strong enough mentally not to be destabilised by all this.
'Pressure comes from within. The only pressure comes from my desire to succeed.'
There is no doubt all is not right in the Lyon squad, with even Perrin admitting 'the team is drifting at the moment'.
Injuries to players like centre-back Cris, goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and striker Fred has meant Perrin has often been without key performers in the spine of his team this season.
It is the closest title race in Ligue 1 for a number of years, while Lyon have the psychological barrier to climb of knowing they have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Perrin is confident his underdogs will give it a good shot against United over the two legs.
'We know we are not favourites,' he said.
'But that is going to allow us to play with a certain calmness, in the hope of causing an upset.'
Perrin will be boosted by the return to the squad of Cris, the Brazilian ball-playing defender who has been out of action since August with a knee injury.
'It is good news for everyone,' added Perrin, who is unlikely to play the club captain from the start. Read more...
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