Latest Analysis

Champions League Redux: Cris and Motta Red Cards, Late Camp Nou Drama

Cris’s tackle was a yellow card offense, and his clapping was an immediate second yellow card.
The fifty-ninth minute tackle by Cris on Van Bommel was a stupid one to make. The first rule of thumb people need to realize (see Andy Gray) is this: it does not matter if the tackler gets the ball first. [...]

Champions League Redux: Refereeing Decisions, Alves, Robben

1) Both Samuel Eto’o and Sergio Busquets deserved to be booked for their dissent towards the referee.
While I can understand the players frustration about the calls that were made in these instances, that is no excuse for showing any blatant form of protest. Yes, Eto’o, while it looked like it was a 50-50 ball, you [...]

Lyon-Bordeaux: UEFA Champions League Preview

Lisandro is the one player between Lyon and Bordeaux who can turn a match on his own. (Photo: ZumaPress)

Two years ago, Girondins de Bordeaux put a warning shot across Olympique Lyonnais’s bow when they came within four points of denying Lyon their seventh consecutive Ligue 1 title. Last year Bordeaux ended [...]

Lyon 1:0 Real Madrid - French side good value for victory

Cameroon international Jean Makoun scored a Goal of the Year candidate just after halftime and the Lyon defense made it stand up as the French side posted a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Stade Gerland Tuesday night in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League second round tie.

After defender Jean-Alain Boumsong poked [...]

Fiorentina Takes Lead in Group E With 1-0 Win Over Lyon

Fiorentina secured advancement out of their Champions League group for the first time in ten seasons with their 1-0 victory over Lyon in Florence. With Juan Vargas’s first half converted penalty kick, the Viola took over the lead in Group F ahead of their Match Day six to Anfield where they will playing a [...]

Fiorentina Looks for Red Card Redemption Against Lyon

Fiorentina's Alberto Gilardino will look to redeem his Match Day 1 sending off.

Though it did not end in a draw, Fiorentina and Lyon played one of the most even matches of the tournament on Match Day 1 when La Viola went to Stade de Garland and lost 1-0. True, most Match Day 1 [...]