Lyon thriller lost on coaches
LYON - Fans and players alike were able to savour Olympique Lyon and Olympique Marseille's 5-5 draw in Ligue 1 on Sunday but the magic of the match was lost on the two coaches.
In a frantic finale featuring five goals in the last 13 minutes, second-placed Lyon came from two goals down to lead 5-4, only for a Jeremy Toulalan own goal to hand Marseille a draw in stoppage time.
"This match will stay in memories for years," said Lyon substitute Michel Bastos, who thought he had netted the winner when he put Lyon 5-4 up after 90 minutes.
"Ten goals in a single game is something outstanding. Football is so magical in these circumstances, this should be a reference for French football.
"Even I, sitting on the bench, took great pleasure in watching it," added the Brazilian Bastos, who came on midway through the second half.
One of Ligue 1's most memorable games of the last decade still left frustrated Lyon coach Claude Puel and his opposite number Didier Deschamps to reflect on what they saw as a missed opportunity.
"It was a good advertising spot for football," said Puel. "It's a draw while we almost had three points in the bag. I am a coach, not a fan."
Deschamps added: "It was a spectacular game, no one will deny it. I think many fans liked it but as a coach..."
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