Tag: Shakhtar Donetsk

Sink or Swim: Shakhtar vs Lyon

On By RabeetaIn Champions League, Competitions, Match ReviewsLeave a comment

As usual, Lyon likes to make life as difficult as possible. That means waiting until the last possible second in order to qualify for the next round of the Champions League.

“The last possible second” isn’t an exaggeration. Given the sheer amount of stoppage time goals conceded this season, we’re not going to know until the 90+5 minute if they’ve made it through.

The way Lyon fans have been tortured this season is probably a violation of the Geneva Convention.

Wednesday, December 12th, 2018
NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kiev
3 PM EST (21:00 CET)

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An empty stadium and empty pockets: Lyon vs. Shakhtar Preview

On By RabeetaIn Champions League, Competitions, Previews1 Comment

If someone scores a goal, and there is no one around to cheer, did it really happen?

This is the kind of existential question that will be answered tomorrow when Lyon welcome Shakhtar Donetsk for their first home Champions League game of the season…to be played in an empty stadium.

UEFA’s punishment is still standing, with Lyon being taken to task for the behavior of some of their fans. Read about the whole sorry mess here. Not only will no one be allowed inside, but the club will suffer a loss of €6m in ticketing and other matchday revenue. The squad has rarely played in empty stadiums and are prepared to soldier on, but both sides will struggle at the silence.


Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018
Parc OL, Lyon
3 PM EST (21:00 CET, 20:00 UST)

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Lyon and UEFA are back at it again

On By RabeetaIn Champions League, Competitions, Europa League, Jean-Michel Aulas1 Comment

If you’re already over the Lyon/UEFA love affair, I don’t blame you. The club has been appealing one thing or another since it came into existence in 1950, so the fact that they’ve been in a constant punishment/appeal cycle for the past two years doesn’t faze me at all.

We reported a month ago that UEFA reduced Lyon’s punishment to one closed match with another on probation. That was after Lyon appealed an even earlier sanction for what was pretty shitty fan behavior.

The closed match is scheduled to be Lyon’s first home match in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk on October 2nd. At this point, most clubs would shrug, accept it, and move on – that’s what Ligue 1 rivals Marseille are doing.

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Battle of the Coaches in Lyon’s European Campaign

On By Nicholas MamoIn Champions League, News, Team News and Rumors1 Comment

One year is long – far too long – to be out of the Champions League. Fans have to settle for Thursday night football, players look to move away for more glamorous nights, and most importantly, Olympique Lyonnais’ coffers weep quietly.

It’s fair to say that Lady Luck has smiled upon Lyon in recent Champions League campaigns, though in true Lyonnais fashion, they struggled to capitalize. This time, the draws brought mixed fortunes for Genesio’s side.

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