Lyon v Manchester United: Key Battles Analyzed

[-zuco-]

Lyon host manchester united tomorrow in the first leg of a last 16 game in the Champions League.

Here we look at the key figures for Wednesday nights clash.

PERRIN V FERGUSON

Alain Perrin has a poor reputaion in England due to his poor spell at Portsmouth, but he is held in slightly better regard in France, where he took Sochaux to a cup win and is now keeping Lyon at the top of Ligue 1 after succeeding ex Liverpool manager Gerrard Houllier

Sir Alex needs no introduction, his name is known around the world for building brilliant attacking teams at Manchester United. He's won just about all there is to be won but his thirst for more glory is never quenched.

SQUILLACI V ROONEY

Squillaci is likely to be run ragged by the young Liverpudlian, who returned to the team against Arsenal on Saturday in blistering form.

Cacapa's transfer to Newcasle has given Squillaci regular first team chances alongside Brazilian Anderson in central defence.

BEN ARFA V BROWN

Hatem Ben Arfa is the latest French yougster to be called a "wonderkid". The left winger grown in stature since last season, adding goals, pace and creativity to his game.

This will be one of the toughest tests of the season for Brown, who has done well whie deputizing for injured Captain Gary Neville.

BENZEMA V FERDINAND

Benzema, like Ben Arfa, has reportedly attracted attention from United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Mainly used as a centre forward, Benzema is a clinical finished with skill and pace to go with it.

Ferdinand will likely need the help of sidekick Nemanja Vidic if he is to keep this kid quiet for 90 minutes.

Who do you think will win these battles?

[limace31]

You can't compare Perrin with Ferguson: Perrin is an idiot!
Anyway...

Interesting challenge between Squillaci and Rooney though: we'll see if Squillaci has international level.

Watch your language mate.

:p sorry mate...just I don't understand why they let this guy manage a football team.

[yangch0000]

brown got to make his presence felt right from the start, impose himself on Ben Arfa. brown cannot afford to let that guy to grow in confidence as the game goes. cant deny that he is a talent.

If rooney can perform as well as in the arsenal game, maybe better finishing, then squillaci will have a nightmare time. he will just keep terrorising, wont give the defender a minute of rest.

As much as i admire benzema, i dun think he will perform under the watch of ferdinand and vidic. if he does wat ronaldo did to us when we played sporting, fergie got to splash some cash

Manager wise, i think perrin will come out on top..............
Are You Kidding Me? There is no battle in this field! Lyon fans actually miss gerald houllier, thats sums up the story

[limace31]

If I may, you have forgotten one major factor: Juninho's freekicks.
So that will be:

JUNINHO V VDS

Juni is probably the best in the world as far as freeckicks are concerned. Will VDS be able to stop them?

[CROoney]

Lyon host manchester united tomorrow in the first leg of a last 16 game in the Champions League.

Here we look at the key figures for Wednesday nights clash.

PERRIN V FERGUSON

Alain Perrin has a poor reputaion in England due to his poor spell at Portsmouth, but he is held in slightly better regard in France, where he took Sochaux to a cup win and is now keeping Lyon at the top of Ligue 1 after succeeding ex Liverpool manager Gerrard Houllier

Sir Alex needs no introduction, his name is known around the world for building brilliant attacking teams at Manchester United. He's won just about all there is to be won but his thirst for more glory is never quenched.

SQUILLACI V ROONEY


Squillaci is likely to be run ragged by the young Liverpudlian, who returned to the team against Arsenal on Saturday in blistering form.

Cacapa's transfer to Newcasle has given Squillaci regular first team chances alongside Brazilian Anderson in central defence.

BEN ARFA V BROWN

Hatem Ben Arfa is the latest French yougster to be called a "wonderkid". The left winger grown in stature since last season, adding goals, pace and creativity to his game.

This will be one of the toughest tests of the season for Brown, who has done well whie deputizing for injured Captain Gary Neville.

BENZEMA V FERDINAND

Benzema, like Ben Arfa, has reportedly attracted attention from United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Mainly used as a centre forward, Benzema is a clinical finished with skill and pace to go with it.

Ferdinand will likely need the help of sidekick Nemanja Vidic if he is to keep this kid quiet for 90 minutes.

Who do you think will win these battles?Why there is no Benzema va Vidic instead of Benzema vs Rio - we all know who's THE MAN in our defence ;)

I think Ben Arfa will win The Brown battle
and Rooney will win The Squillaci battle

[conor myles]

The one encounter I am looking forward to is Ferdinand and benzema
I think Benzema will have a quiet game tonight

[CROoney]

The one encounter I am looking forward to is Ferdinand and benzema
I think Benzema will have a quiet game tonight
well - he certainly won a battle called "Benzema vs The entire back four ":p

[reddwarf]

I'm glad Ben Arfa didn't start - he's a tricky little customer isn't he?!

A moment of brilliance by Benzema changed the game for me. We were looking comfortable and had made a positive start to the 2nd half. That goal stunned us and although we tried to respond immediately our performance became more subdued when a goal didn't come straight away.

Great substitutions by Fergie. Bringing on Nani and Tevez changed the game back in our favour. Tevez started winning a lot of free-kicks in the middle of the pitch, which gave us the opportunity to put Lyon under pressure and it was from Nani's cross that Tevez scored his equaliser.

I would have taken 1-1 before the game and considering we equalised so late on it will leave Lyon feeling deflated. I feel we have a great chance of making the quarter-finals now.

[the-7]

BEN ARFA V BROWN ??????????

Ben Arafa eat brown whin he put the goal

[CROoney]

BEN ARFA V BROWN ??????????

Ben Arafa eat brown whin he put the goal
dude - ben arfa didn't score . nor he was involved in the goal whatsoever

[reddwarf]

dude - ben arfa didn't score . nor he was involved in the goal whatsoever

Yeah, he wasn't even on the pitch when Lyon scored!!!

[Arrogant Frog Eater]

PERRIN V FERGUSON

We've just seen yesterday how poor Perrin is and how excellent Fergie is.

[haggler]

lyon won 2-0 against metz the bottom club in the league with two goals from fred who is likely to start next week against us