By Anna Italia

   
              % Ball Possession JUVENTUS and % Ball Possession LYON
           Juventus 2 – 1 Olympique Lyon   
                                             
4′ Andrea Pirlo             18′ Jimmy Briand
                                            68′ Claudio Marchisio

          
Juventus qualifying to the Europa League Semifinals!!!!

Buy Olympique Lyonnais tickets, Buy Juventus FC

Juventus qualifying to the Europa League Semifinal after defeating Lyon at the Juventus Stadium.   Juventus also won the away game against Olympique Lyonnais
at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, France thanks to the goal by defender
Leonardo Bonucci: Olympique Lyon 0 – 1 Juventus 

Super victory for Juventus and a special day for Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.  His inclusion in the starting line-up for the 
European quarter-final second leg sees him draw level with club
legend Roberto Bettega on 482 appearances in the black and white
stripes.

Things starting well for Juventus.  In the 4th minute, it is midfielder Andrea Pirlo to open the score with his trademark from a direct free kick defeating Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

A headache for Juventus!  In the 18th minute, it is Lyon forward Jimmy Briand to equalize defeating Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon with a headed shot.  The assist by midfielder Arnold Mvuemba.
 

Wow, !  A headed goal by Carlos Tevez is ruled out for being offside in the 61st minute.  Tevez started to run celebrating when suddenly watching the flag signaling the offside.

Juventus with a midfielder Mauricio Isla sending the ball to midfielder Claudio Marchisio in the 68th minute.  Here comes Marchisio with a super mega long range shot goal, and what a crazy goal because the shot is deflected by Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti surprising goalkeeper Lopes going the wrong way.  Mamma mia, what a goal!  Marchisio holding his mouth showing surprise, but the celebration at the Juventus stadium is loud.  Closeup from goalkeeper Buffon also celebrating.

Here is JUVENTUS official starting lineup by coach Antonio Conte:

Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Tevez, Vucinic.

Here is OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS official starting lineup by coach Garde:

Lyon (4-3-1-2): A.Lopes; Tolisso, B.Koné, Umtiti, Bedimo; Gonalons, Ferri, Malbranque; Mvuemba; Lacazette, Briand.

Click the video to watch the highlights of the match Juventus vs Lyon, Thursday 4 April 2014, Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy

2013 – 2014 UEFA Europa League
Quarterfinal Second Leg

Olympique Lyon 0 – 1 Juventus
Thursday 3 April  2014
Stade de Gerland, Lyon, France
21:05

Goals: 4′ Andrea Pirlo (J), 18′ Jimmy Briand (L) 68′ Claudio Marchisio (J)

Official formations – lineups:

Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Tevez, Vucinic. 

Subs.: Storari, Lichtsteiner, Ogbonna, Pogba, Osvaldo, Llorente, Giovinco.

Coach: Antonio Conte.

Olympique Lyonnais (4-3-1-2): A.Lopes; Tolisso, B.Koné, Umtiti, Bedimo; Gonalons, Ferri, Malbranque; Mvuemba; Lacazette, Briand.

Subs: Vercoutre, Zeffane, Biševac, Danic, Gomis, Njié, Fekir.

Coach:  Garde

What do you think of the results? Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why? 

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By Anna Italia

   
              40% Ball Possession LYON and 60% Ball Possession JUVENTUS
                          Olympique Lyon 0 – 1 Juventus  
                                                                                                                 
85′ Leonardo Bonucci

Buy Olympique Lyonnais tickets, Buy Juventus FC

Juventus winning the away game against Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, France thanks to the goal by defender Leonardo Bonucci.  Lyon were unbeaten  in previous five UEFA Europa League home games since the start of the group stage.   The Second Leg will be played on Thursday 10 April at the Juventus Stadium.   Up to Juventus now to grab the spot to the Semifinals!  Great way for Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon to celebrate his 700th game as a Juventus player without conceding goals and winning the game.  Buffon playing 516 in Serie A, 37 in Serie B, 26 in Coppa Italia, 115 in European Competition and 6 in other tournament. 

Sadly, Juventus forward Carlos Tevez continuing without scoring in European competition since his last goal in April 2009.   Tevez was replaced in the 55th minute by forward Mirko Vucinic.

It is in the 85th minute that Juventus scored the winner goal of the match.  The bim bam boom action starting with midfielder Paul Pogba attempting to score and is blocked, then, the ball bounces back on the way near to defender Leonardo Bonucci who rushes fast enough for the final right footed shot leaving goalkeeper Anthony Lopes without time to get up ….  Bonucci celebrating and for a moment thinking we hear a whistle, but, not, yep, the goal is totally valid and celebration among Juventus player.

Stats now are in favor of Juventus because this was the first game between Lyon and Juventus.  It will be a “deja vu” for Lyon in case of losing at the Juventus Stadium because they will be eliminated just like  in March 1999 eliminated by Bologna also in the Quarterfinals. 

Lyon captain Maxime Gonalons and Juventus captain Gigi Buffon exchanged banners.

Curiosity, Yoann
Gourcuff (AC Milan 2006 to 2009) is the only Lyon player with Serie A
experience;  Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo was a teammate during his time as Milan player with Gourcuff including goalkeeper Maro Storari. 

Here is OLYMPIQUE LYON official starting lineup by coach Rémi Garde:

Olympique Lyon: Lopes, Bedimo, Koné, Umtiti, Ferri, Malbranque, Gonalons, Mvuemba, Tolisso, Lacazette, Briand.

Here is JUVENTUS official starting lineup by coach Antonio Conte:

Juventus: Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres, Bonucci, Pogba, Marchisio, Pirlo, Asamoah, Isla, Tevez, Osvaldo.

Disciplinary Situation before the game:  Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal is suspended.

Photo juventus.com

Photo juventus.com

Click the video to watch the highlights of the game LYON vs JUVENTUS, Thursday 3 April 2014, Stade Gerland, Lyon, France, Europa League Quarterfinal First Leg

Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo celebrating after scoring the winner goal against Fiorentina

2013 – 2014 UEFA Europa League
Quarterfinal First Leg

Olympique Lyon 0 – 1 Juventus
Thursday 3 April  2014
Stade de Gerland, Lyon, France
21:05

Goals: 85′ Leonardo  Bonucci (J)

Official formation – lineups:

Olympique Lyon: Lopes, Bedimo, Koné, Umtiti, Ferri, Malbranque, Gonalons, Mvuemba, Tolisso, Lacazette, Briand.

Subs: Vercoutre, Zeffane, Sarr, Danic, Fekir, Gomis, Njié. 

Coach:. Rémi Garde.

Juventus: Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres, Bonucci, Pogba, Marchisio, Pirlo, Asamoah, Isla, Tevez, Osvaldo.

Subs: Storari, Peluso, Lichtsteiner, Padoin, Vucinic, Giovinco, Llorente.

Coach: Antonio Conte

What do you think of the results? Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why? 

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Manager Remi Garde and midfielder Steed Malbranque have revealed
that an ambitious Lyon side will be giving their all to overcome what
they predict as a stern test against Juventus.

The French outfit are unbeaten in their five Europa League home
games so far, but the pair believe that a faultless performance will be
required to maintain that 100 per cent record at the Stade de Gerland
against the Bianconeri in tomorrow’s quarter-final first leg.

Speaking at the club’s pre-match press conference, Garde began:
“We’ve got a mountain in front of us, but we’ll do all in our power to
climb it. We’ll have to play the perfect match tomorrow.”

The team’s coach since June 2011 went on to stress that the scale
of the challenge does not faze his men. Instead, he confirmed that they
are excited to put themselves to the test.

“My players may be young, but they’re ambitious and this type of game will help them grow.

“They can’t wait to give it their all in this showcase. It will be
our 52nd game of the year, but the best men available will be playing
tomorrow nevertheless.”

Focusing on the threat Juventus pose to their ambitions of becoming
the first French side to reach the semi-final of the new Europa League,
Garde highlighted Carlos Tevez amongst the strong overall unit
assembled by opposite number Antonio Conte.

“Juve dominate their league and are full of top players. Tevez is a
constant danger and Conte is doing an excellent job: he knows how to
make his team play well.”

Sitting alongside Garde in the press suite was midfielder Malbranque, who echoed the boss’ view of the task facing Lyon.

The 34-year-old began: “We’re up against a big team who are
formidable opposition. We must make the most of this chance and not be
content with just reaching the quarter-finals.”

He went on to admit that a 2-1 defeat to Rhone Valley rivals
Saint-Etienne at the weekend was a bitter pill to swallow, but concluded
by saying that Lyon’s focus is now very much on the quarter-final with
Juventus.

“It was difficult coming to terms with the derby defeat, but now
we’re concentrated on Juventus. I know that the players who line up
tomorrow will do their utmost to get a result.”

Source: juventus.com

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Antonio Conte has named a 22-man squad for tomorrow’s Europa League
quarter-final first leg against Lyon at the Stade de Gerland.

The full list of players who have travelled to France for the 21.05 CET kick-off is as follows:

1 Buffon
3 Chiellini
4 Caceres
5 Ogbonna
6 Pogba
8 Marchisio
9 Vucinic
10 Tevez
12 Giovinco
13 Peluso
14 Llorente
15 Barzagli
18 Osvaldo
19 Bonucci
20 Padoin
21 Pirlo
22 Asamoah
23 Vidal
26 Lichtsteiner
30 Storari
33 Isla
34 Rubinho