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Claude Puel Praises Olympique Lyonnais Players After 5-5 Olympique de Marseille Tie

Puel has talked of his kaleidoscope of emotions after one of Le Championnat's most memorable games in recent history...

Nov 9, 2009 9:13:18 AM

Ligue 1 : Fabrice Abriel (Marseille) vs Jean II Makoun (Lyon)

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Ligue 1 : Fabrice Abriel (Marseille) vs Jean II Makoun (Lyon)

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Claude Puel

Olympique Lyonnais general manager Claude Puel praised his players’ character after watching them recover from a 4-2 deficit to draw 5-5 with Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday evening.

In what will surely be one of the most incredible matches played out anywhere on the planet this season, OL lead early through Miralem Pjanic. Souleymane Diawara brought the guests level before Sidney Govou instantly restored Lyon’s lead. Benoit Cheyrou and Bakari Kone struck either side of half-time to put Marseille in the ascendancy, and then Brandao added a fourth for OM with just 11 minutes remaining. However, two quick Lisandro Lopez goals levelled the match prior to Michel Bastos putting Lyon back ahead in stoppage time. A late Jeremy Toulalan own goal ensured parity at full-time.

“I congratulate the players,” explained Puel to the AFP news agency.

“There was a very difficult scenario, conceding the second goal just before half-time and a third shortly after the break. We were led 4-2 before coming back. This shows the character of our team and the potential we have. We scored beautiful goals. We say that we won on points!

“We faced the power of Marseille, who scored three goals from set-plays or from second balls. It’s too bad we were not rewarded in the end.

“We are a little frustrated, though, at 4-2 we would have signed for a 4-4 draw. Considering the features of the game and what we could do, we're disappointed, obviously. We wanted the win in added time but we concede a fifth goal from a scramble.

“It's mostly disappointment and frustration that prevails. It's a draw against Marseille, but we wanted the three points. OM can consider this a good operation as they won a point away from home.”

Dropping two late points also meant that Lyon failed to take advantage of Bordeaux’s defeat in Lille earlier on Sunday. As a result, les Gones remain second in Ligue 1.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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