Lead inhibited Lyon display, says Puel

Olympique Lyonnais coach Claude Puel said Les Gones' 3-1 victory in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg affected his team's approach in the return encounter which they lost 1-0. Lyon nonetheless reached the semi-finals for the first time yet Puel maintained that the victory at Stade de Gerland "was in our heads", particularly in the first half. Losing coach Laurent Blanc, meanwhile, bemoaned the "small things" which cost the Ligue 1 titleholders.

Claude Puel, Lyon coach
This success was built on small details. Things finally turned in our favour. Hugo [Lloris] was the saviour at the end. Either team could have won, right until the end. The game was tough. We had the first-leg scoreline in our heads and didn't play freely. We were on the back foot and failed to win the ball properly. The second half was better but obviously we didn't create many chances. Hugo performed during those two games.

I was expecting a physical contest in midfield so I lined up with three defensive midfielders. It's also important for the president [Jean-Michel Aulas]. He's worked for a long time to be here. Congratulations to the players, it was not easy. We dropped back in the first half but were better in the second. It was very tight. Lloris was decisive, he saved us in the last minute.

Laurent Blanc, Bordeaux coach
Some small things cost us. We have some regrets for sure but they arise from the first leg. I'm happy with my players in the second leg. The main thing that went wrong for us was their second goal when we were away. A lack of experience prompted the errors on our part [at Lyon]. We gave away two goals at least there. One goal tonight could have been good enough for us. We must take lots of pride from tonight; what we produced in the second leg was good.