Alexander Puzik - about the preparation for the match of the Champions League of the city of Lyon and local fans.

The first departure of the Donetsk Shakhtar in this Champions League fell on hospitable France, where the Ukrainian delegation was waiting for Lyon. After the results of the first round, in which, we recall, Shakhtar could not beat Hoffenheim, and Lyon sensationally dealt with Man City, the match against Lyon for the Orange-and-Blacks was almost the main one in the group. In case of victory, the Ukrainian team will regain the status of a favorite in the fight for second place in the quartet, while the fiasco in today's match casts doubt on even the European Cup spring.

Paulo Fonseca was not surprised with the composition of the players who went to the game. The coach took all the strongest performers who are only available to him.. Not injured Ivan Ordets and Dentinho. At the airport and during the trip, the players were hardly heard - most likely, even then, the players tuned in to a tough fight.. Or they simply could not sleep.. Only Tyson was unruffled - the Brazilian sang songs at first, and then even started dancing. So the captain probably wanted to defuse the situation..

The press conference was standard - Zhenesio praised Shakhtar, Fonsek praised Lyon. True, with a slight difference. If the mentor of the “weavers” noted the strength of the “miners” in the attack and even compared our team with Barcelona, ??the coach of the Ukrainian team focused on the defense of the opponent and the high placement of the back line. On the day of the match, there was little that reminded of the game in the city - there was no advertising at all (largely because the fight would take place without spectators). Recall that today in Lyon will take place the Champions League match, it was possible only near the club shops. Residents of the city were also far from football.. It is difficult to judge everyone, because the overwhelming majority of the local people refused to speak English, but those who did say a few words to us said they were not interested in football and, accordingly, were not going to watch the game..

The local press also waited for the match without much enthusiasm.. It would seem that after the fabulous victory of Lyon over the City, the local team should be provided with maximum support from all sides, but it was provided only by those who simply had no right not to do so.. Talk about the world-famous newspaper L’equipe, which prepared a wonderful preview for the fight.

The publication has devoted a lot of time to Miner, highlighting the strength of Brazilians and briefly telling about the history of the club in recent years..

It should be noted that it was not without mentioning Mircea Lucescu’s “huge contribution”, sales of Fred to Manchester United for 60 million euros, as well as the “hard fate” of the club, which was forced to leave Donetsk and now all matches are held away from home and home stadium.

With the composition of the newspaper probably was not mistaken:.

Before the match, there is relatively little time left, but the miner's squad, who will try to improve for the defeat of Hoffenheim in the first round, will be the first to fight Lyon.. And while we are going to the stadium and getting to know the city, one thing is clear - there will be no football holiday today in Lyon.