Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas was full of praises for head coach manager Garcia after he staged a stunning 3-1 win against Manchester City.
Lyon made the ‘impossible’ possible after they caused a major upset with their 3-1 victory over Manchester City.
Not many gave the Ligue 1 side a chance to go far in Lisbon but they’ve defied the odds so far. First, they sent Cristiano Ronaldo and company packing and they’ve done it yet again with City.
Lyon are now getting the ‘giant slayer’ but they have perhaps their hardest task ever against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
For now, the club president Aulas is pleased with Rudi Garcia and his achievements so far.
Lyon only appointed Garcia as manager last October following an abysmal start to the season by ex-boss Sylvinho.
Considering the circumstances, Garcia has achieved a lot with the club in short time and rightly deserves all the praise coming his way.
“It’s a huge achievement, well done to Rudi, Juninho [Pernambucano, sporting director] and to the players who were magnificent,” an emotional Aulas told RMC Sport . “We had a terrible year, we started badly, we changed coaches, we had terrible injuries. We were able to recruit and react strongly.
“We have a talented team. You have to have a bit of success beyond talent, we’ve had some, that’s why we have to remain humble. It’s a very great performance.
“Garcia is a boy who does his job well. We had identified him to straighten out OL. He knew with humility, and sometimes difficulties, to do his work.
“It is the evolution towards what we have wished. Juninho knew how to support him in difficult times. It is a confirmation for me, he deserves the recognition.”
Ten years ago when Lyon last qualified for the Champions League semi-finals, they were paired with Bayern Munich. The German giants eased to a 4-0 win back then over two legs.
The one-leg format makes things more interesting and only time will tell if Garcia can master-mind yet another ‘giant slaying’ performance.
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