Lyon resolve holds firm in Rome

AS Roma remain in contention to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time but have plenty of work to do after a resolute Olympique Lyonnais earned a goalless draw in the Italian capital.

Even contest
In a game of few chances that produced more yellow cards – eleven in total – than meaningful attacks, neither side did enough to merit victory, and both will be looking for improved performances at Stade de Gerland on 6 March. The visitors came closest to earning an advantage in the first knockout round tie when Juninho Pernambucano's free-kick was headed on to his own post by Taddei early in the first half, while Roma's most serious threats also came from set-pieces.

Taddei scare
The match began in a vibrant atmosphere with a capacity crowd offering encouragement to the home team on their first appearance in the knockout stage. It was Lyon who settled quickest, however, and Philippe Mexes was booked for a mistimed challenge on Juninho within the first two minutes. The Frenchman, returning after a month on the sidelines, was joined in the book by Christian Panucci five minutes later, and from the resulting free-kick Taddei glanced Juninho's cross against his own post with goalkeeper Doni a spectator.

Roma rally
Juninho received a caution as the tackles continued to fly in but the Brazilian was exerting considerable influence in midfield alongside the effervescent Tiago. Lyon were dominating possession, and François Clerc's shot deflected wide before Doni saved at Florent Malouda's feet after the French international had turned menacingly past Matteo Ferrari. Roma eventually settled after a nervous start and finished the half on top. Taddei's cross-shot from the left flashed too far in front of Simone Perrotta, then Grégory Coupet pulled off a smart point-blank stop from Daniele De Rossi, although the Roma midfielder was adjudged offside in any case.

Mancini influence
With Francesco Totti being closely marshalled by Cris, the danger had to come from other sources. Mancini duly stepped forward but the Brazilian's long-range attempt was deflected wide in the 40th minute. Lyon seemed to have been tamed as an attacking threat although Tiago issued the Italian side a warning just before the interval, firing in a swerving effort that was pushed out by Doni.

Long-distance attempts
The pace slowed in the second period as Roma dropped deep, allowing the visitors plenty of the ball. Lyon struggled to make their territorial advantage count, however, and began to show their frustration as Fred and Tiago both missed the target from distance. Totti's driven free-kick from the right angle of the penalty area was parried to safety by Coupet and that brought the crowd back to life, although the home fans soon had their hearts in their mouths as Doni spilt a 40-metre free-kick from Juninho but recovered quickly to deny Fred.

Toulalan banned
The game was turning into a showdown between two of football's finest set-piece specialists, Totti testing Coupet again on 72 minutes only for the French international goalkeeper to smother his swerving effort at the second tempt. The high number of fouls continued in the closing stages, yet only Lyon midfielder Jérémy Toulalan picked up a booking that means he is suspended for the second leg.