France in the Champs League: Close but no cigar. Only bitter, shameful defeat

By: Sam | March 8th, 2007

It was a beautiful day here in Edmonton today, but it was raining in my heart. God! No more Ligue 1 reppers in the Champions League! Yes, Lille was eliminated by a bunch of fiery red evil demons from the darkest bowels of the flaming gallows of hell, aka Red Devils. Despite a few chances and a solid defensive showing, it was Larsson’s header that made the difference and sent LOSC packing without a referee-related excuse. Video is below

With nothing doing in the first fifteen minutes, both teams holding strong, John O’Shea couldn’t take full advantage of Sylva’s faux-pas and plopped his header on the goalpost. Six minutes later, Lille got their first real opportunity when Obraniak’s free-kick found an unmarked Jean II Makoun, who’s header just went wide. Sylva proved solid next time, on Scholes’ slightly deflected shot. A high elbow from Odemwingie, which could have produced a card, caught Vidic in the face soon after.

On a ManU corner at the half-hour mark, Makoun took an unfortunate booking for delay of game when he sprung out of the wall a tad too fast. Ronaldo’s ensuing kick proved futile. Another yellow came to Mathieu Chalmé five minutes later after the referee accidentally booked Kader Keita. At this stage, a bit disorganized and with two fresh bookings in hand, LOSC knew they needed something else. Ronaldo then took an intensely overzealous dive that earned him a well-deserved yellow card. Half-time.

Looking desperately for some change, Mathieu Debuchy replaced Bastos to produce some more offensive flair. Things looked promising but all to familiar early on, when Odewingie, who was disallowed a goal in the first leg, struck a clean header on to Van Der Sar’s post. Lille got into ref trouble again, when Tafforeau came in late on Ronaldo and paid the price. Rooney then provoked Plestan, who dangerously tackled the ugly duckling and also got cautioned.

Then came the dagger. Larsson, unmarked, clipped the ball like he could do it blindfolded into Sylva’s far side. At that point, Lille needed two goals to win it. Not likely. But never saying never, they brought in Fauvergue and Mirallas in the stead of Odemwingie and Dumont. In vain. The game ended with Mickaël Silvestre being carried off on a stretcher.

Out but not down (ha, ha), the lillois will have to battle hard for another try next year.

Man Utd 1 – 0 Lille – Larsson Goal
envoyé par FootballHeaven