Lottery make sure only one Frenchman in the semi-finals
March 19, 2010 by ball
UCL Quarterfinal drawing

French fans certainly not happy with the draw quarterfinals round of the Champions League 2009/2010. Two of their best teams, Bordeaux and Lyon, have had to one another "kill" before the semifinals.

In the draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, Friday (19/3/2010), Girondins Bordeaux first emerged as the most terundi team. Few seconds later, came the paper with Olympique Lyon. Fate brings them in round eight.

Actually this is the best season of France in the Champions League final in six years due to get two representatives to the quarterfinals round. Alongside the British (Manchester United and Arsenal), they exceed Spain (Barcelona), Italy (Inter Milan), Germany (Bayern Munich) and Russia (CSKA Moscow), which represented only one team.

The last time France was represented by two teams in the quarterfinals of Europe is in season 2003/2004, on behalf of Lyon and Monaco. Lyon was eliminated in the round, Monaco reached the final before going subdued FC Porto.

After that, only the representative of France Lyon can penetrate the Champions League quarterfinals, respectively in 2005 and 2006. But since then, in the last three seasons, there was never a French representative survived a big round of 16, until the note was made again in this season.

Although certainly lose one deputy faster, at least one representative of France in the semifinals already exists. One of them will meet Manchester United or Bayern Munich in the last four large.

"We talked with (Lyon president) Jean-Michel (Aulas) before the draw, and we agree to not face each other," said Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud quoted Eurosport.

"Our advantages are our main barn at the second leg. The advantage they would their more experienced than us at this level?"

"It's a strange game, but there will be a French team in the semi-finals for the first time since Monaco (2004)," said Aulas.

Last season Lauren trained Bordeaux Blanc to end domination of Lyon in French league champions seven consecutive seasons. Lyon even finish in third place, under Marseille. In this season, reached the 28th week, Bordeaux is still tops the standings, while Lyon in fifth place.

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