Demianenko praises classy Lyon
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Article summary
"The individual class of their players told," said Anatoli Demianenko after seeing his FC Dynamo Kyiv side defeated by Group E leaders Olympique Lyonnais.
Article body
Anatoli Demianenko praised Olympique Lyonnais as "one of the best teams in Europe" after seeing his FC Dynamo Kyiv out-classed by the French heavyweights in UEFA Champions League Group E. Dynamo were undone by two goals in seven first-half minutes from Juninho Pernambucano and Kim Källström, and their third straight defeat was sealed by a third five minutes after half-time from Florent Malouda. The win extended Lyon's perfect record but coach Gérard Houllier feels there is more to come from his side.
Anatoli Demianenko, Dynamo coach
We did everything we could; we tried hard, but eventually we lost to one of the best teams in Europe. The individual class of their players told. It seems Lyon did not create much in front of our goal - two set-pieces and one quick attack. But those chances were taken, which underlines the class of our opponents. We are working hard, we are trying to go forward despite negative results. We will not stop trying. In this kind of situation we need to try and get the best we can and we must find additional resources to draw on in order to get better. In terms of will and determination, I have nothing to blame my players for. I have no doubt that we will try everything we can in order to get results in the remaining games.
Gérard Houllier, Lyon coach
We won deservedly by beating a very strong side. We had problems in the first 15 minutes, but after that our technical superiority told. Dynamo have good attacking potential, but it seems that the team is having problems with defence. I am sure their coaching staff has already noted that without my tip-off. In my team, I would point out the performance of Källström, who worked very well and scored the second goal which was decisive. Even so, I am more happy about the kind of total football we have shown today. We showed good movement, everyone defended and everyone attacked. We have scored eight goals in our three games and did not allow a single one in, which shows our potential. We are making progress and we are capable of more.