Houllier salutes 'stylish' Lyon
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Article summary
Olympique Lyonnais coach Gérard Houllier was in jubilant mood after watching his side expertly dismantle last season's conquerors, PSV Eindhoven.
Article body
An emphatic win for Olympique Lyonnais was hailed by coach Gérard Houllier, who watched his team sweep aside ten-man PSV Eindhoven at the Stade Gerland 4-0 in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League. Two first-half goals from Tiago - and the dismissal of PSV captain Phillip Cocu - made the tie safe before Sylvain Wiltord and Fred completed a wonderful night for the French champions, through to the quarter-finals for the third season running.
Gérard Houllier, Lyon coach
I first want to congratulate my players. They have won and they played magnificant football. The first goal was perfect, and after that I knew we would do it. I knew then they would play without pressure. To have a good game means both result and style. I think my players had both those things tonight. We were boosted when Cocu was sent off, but I think his tackle deserved such a card. To play another match without Juninho Pernambucano [suspended for the quarter-final first leg] will be hard but a big team must be able to play without their stars.
Guus Hiddink, PSV coach
To go out of the competition is hard, but I think we deserved to go out - Lyon were better tonight. Two minutes after Lyon's first goal, we had the opportunity to score and we failed. We failed to be there at the right moment. The second yellow card for Cocu was justified, but not the first. After that, it was hard for us. During the second half we tried to play as well as possible knowing we had to come back. Lyon deserve a bigger European reputation and they deserve to go far in the Champions League.
Cris, Lyon defender
Thanks to this win, last year's defeat is forgotten. It was a different match from last year. After Cocu was sent off, it became easy for us.
Juninho Pernambucano, Lyon midfielder
We deserved to go through, and I want to thank our supporters for the incredible atmosphere inside the stadium. This third straight qualification [for the quarter-finals] is proof of our qualities. It's a pity I will not play in the next game but my team-mates will carry us forward.
