Lyon prove too powerful for Dinamo
Reuters - Tuesday 27 September 2011, 21:24
LYON - Bafetimbi Gomis and Bakary
Kone led the way as Olympique Lyon swept past Dinamo Zagreb 2-0
in a one-sided encounter to stay second in Champions League
Group D on Tuesday.
Ligue 1 leaders Lyon, playing in Europe's elite club
competition for the 12th consecutive time, were simply too good
for Dinamo and goals from Gomis and Kone made sure they remained
two points behind group leaders Real Madrid.
"We had pretty much done what was needed at half-time. Hats
off to the players, I am proud of them," coach Remi Garde told
the French TV channel TF1.
"It is going according to plan. Zagreb could not play their
game because we defended very well and since we were strong
offensively it was all good."
Lyon, who did not bring in any major signings during the
close-season, have been relying on youngsters and the policy is
paying off.
Kone, who joined from Ligue 2 side Guingamp, has been
impressive in central defence this season.
The 20-year-old Clement Grenier, groomed at Lyon's youth
academy, has also been in sparkling form in midfield, showing he
has what it takes to make up for Bosnian Miralem Pjanic's move
to AS Roma.
PACKED STADIUM
Lyon made a good start at a packed Gerland stadium and Gomis
skied a third-minute effort over the bar in front of a gaping
net.
Maxime Gonalons also missed a clear chance in front of goal
but Lyon's domination was eventually rewarded.
In the 23rd minute Gomis, who missed a string of
opportunities in the game, delicately chipped the ball over
keeper Ivan Kelava to put the hosts ahead.
It was Gomis's seventh goal from 10 games in all
competitions this season and the former St Etienne striker looks
likely to be recalled by France coach Laurent Blanc on Thursday
for two important Euro 2012 qualifiers.
The unmarked Kone added a second goal before Grenier almost
notched a third on the stroke of half-time, Kelava diving at his
feet to deny the French midfielder.
Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris pulled off a superb save in the 71st
minute, diving to his right to palm away a Tonel header for
Dinamo.
Lloris made another excellent stop to his left six minutes
from time after a low shot by Jerko Leko.
Lyon, who have never won the Champions League but reached
the semi-finals in 2009-10, next face Real Madrid in three
weeks' time at the Santiago Bernabeu.