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After the goalless draw in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final at home, head coach Gerard Houllier stated that his players showed too much respect to their more titled opponents.
"In the first 20 minutes of the match we showed them too much respect, but as soon as we started playing our level of game, we caused them a lot of problems," said G. Houllier to journalists after the match. "In the first 20 minutes, it seemed like it wasn't my team. They were frozen, I had a hard time believing what was happening on the field."
G. Houllier promised that in the return match on the following Tuesday at the San Siro stadium in Milan, his team will play better.
"In the second leg, we will play at 100 percent. We will play much better in Italy," boldly declared the Frenchman. "In the Champions League, we always score goals when playing away."
Wednesday's game was only the third out of 45 played where "Lyon" failed to score a goal. Additionally, "Lyon" has not lost a single UEFA Champions League away match this year.
"A goalless draw is not illogical," stated G. Houllier. "It can be beneficial for us. Now, Milan is in a situation where they have to score a goal in the return match."
"It was definitely one of the best matches I've seen this year, and it proved that we can compete with any team, as Milan is really one of the best teams among the eight still fighting for the title," commented the Frenchman.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti agreed that everything will be decided in the return match.
"We didn't come here to play for a goalless draw, but to play our game," said the Italian. "Nothing is decided yet. The final result will be determined in Milan in a week and both teams have a chance to advance."
C. Ancelotti also praised Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet for his fantastic performance in the first half, where he saved three shots from Andriy Shevchenko.
"We started the match well and it's a shame we couldn't score," said C. Ancelotti. "Lyon definitely did not expect our game. Coupet saved them in the first half. In the second half, Lyon played much better, but we managed to hold on."
