Juninho bags 40th free-kick goal for Lyon
Reuters - Thursday 06 November 2008, 14:05
LYON - Olympique Lyon's dead ball
specialist Juninho scored his 40th free kick goal for the club
against Steaua Bucharest in a Champions League game on Wednesday
to make his mark on the French side's scoring records.
The strike in a 2-0 home win meant the Brazilian midfielder
joined compatriot Sonny Anderson as the club's all-time top
scorer in European competition with 16 by netting his 94th goal
in all competitions for the French champions.
"I knew the goalkeeper would try and anticipate on one side
so I just shot and wrongfooted him," the 33-year-old told
Reuters in an interview on Thursday.
"I am writing a small page in the club's history, I am
really happy about that," added Juninho, who joined Lyon in 2001
and has won seven Ligue 1 titles with the club.
Juninho had two difficult years at Lyon after arriving from
Vasco de Gama before finding his feet in Ligue 1.
"I have had my highs and lows but I really improved with the
club that allowed me to discover the European Cup. My first two
seasons were tough but now it's much better," he said.
In March 2007 he said he wanted to leave after Lyon were
eliminated in the first knockout round of the Champions League,
but now he is happy to stay and has 100 goals in his sights.
"That would be a nice symbol," he said. "However, more than
the numbers it's the team's victory that pleases me.
"I just want to help the team win, I'm just doing my job
although a big part of it is taking the free kicks."
Lyon are top of Group F and should qualify for the first
knockout round thanks to Juninho's inspired performances.
He said his form was due to a sensible lifestyle.
"You have to be careful with what you eat, work hard, stay
focused and rest when you need to," he said.
"Right now I have a little pain behind my knee but I know
how to take care of myself. For example, I did not play at
Sochaux (last week). So I am fresh when it really matters."
"This could be my best season at Lyon," he added.
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