Lyon opposed desires to beat Juventus in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg on Wednesday, rising 1-0 victors because of a first-half Lucas Tousart goal.
The French side was the additionally threatening early on and went close on 20 minutes when Karl Toko Ekambi’s flicked header span over Wojciech Szczesny and onto the crossbar.
The hosts at that point started to lead the pack on the half-hour mark while a bloodied Matthijs de Ligt was being treated off-pitch for a cut to the head – brought about by an incidental stamp from colleague Alex Sandro. Houssem Aouar surged in from the sideline to give a cross to Tousart, who sent a cushioned volley past Szczesny.
Juventus developed into the game in the second half, yet couldn’t marshal a single shot on target from 14 efforts, not to mention find what might have been a significant away goal in front of the second leg in Turin on March 17.
The nearest the guests came to equalizing was when Paulo Dybala found the net with three minutes staying in the second half, just for the goal to be disallowed because of Argentina forward wandering offside.
In the end moments, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dybala both hit the turf in the Lyon box, yet referee Jesus Gil Manzano was unimpressed by their calls for penalties.
“It was an almost perfect performance,” Lyon sporting director Juninho told RMC Sport after the match. “Winning 1-0 against Juventus, nobody thought we could.
“Of course, we are very happy, but we cannot forget that this is just the first leg.”
Juninho additionally applauded Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, saying: “Bruno is a player who has been thoroughly educated. That is rare in Brazil, but we came across a team that trains its players well.
“He is a player with great humility, who always wants to learn. We see that he can see situations before they arise.
“He is a very, very good player. He has all the qualities to become a great, great player. Today, national team members were here. I think he will be called for Brazil’s first team soon.”
In the interim, Juventus captain Leonardo Bonucci stated: “We messed up our first half, sometimes it happens.
“We gifted one half and they scored at a moment when they were good at hurting us.”
The Serie A leaders are next in action on Sunday, with their conflict against third-placed Inter Milan being played in secret after a coronavirus flare-up in northern Italy.
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