MTNFootball

Lyon was forced to a 0-0 draw by Ajax Amsterdam at Gerland on Tuesday evening, on Day 5 of the group phase of the UEFA Champions League.

The first opportunity of the game came from the Dutch side, with a Vertonghen header just missing the top corner of the net, following a Janssen corner kick on the 5th minute.

It was Lisandro’s turn to take his chance three minutes later, Vermeer having to clear with both hands.

After a pretty balanced start, Ajax started to enjoy most of the possession, but suffered a lack of accuracy in most of their attempts.

Janssen 17th and 41st minutes efforts ended up off-target, as did an attempt from Nicolas Lodeiro just before the half an hour mark.

The home side had also few first half chances by Réveillère and Jimmy Briand, but nothing serious enough to trouble Vermeer.

The visitors came into the second half with great spirit.

Vertonghen  pushed Hugo Lloris to a fine save on minute 52 ; then seven minutes later, on a great cross from Ebecilio, Cissokho almost deflected a strike from Sulejmani into his own net.

Lyon started to wake up in the last 15 minutes of the game with several attempts from Bastos, Kallstrom and Ederson.

But Ajax were fighting tooth and nail to preserve a good draw for them.

Two late efforts from Gourcuff and Lacazette didn’t pay off either, and the 2 teams had to share the points at the end.

The « Gones » remain three points behind Ajax with only one more game to go, and a poor goal difference should condemn them to an early exit whatever happen on the last day of the group phase.

Ajax will host Real Madrid, easy winner of Dinamo Zagreb Tuesday evening, and leader of the pool, while Lyon will take a trip to Zagreb.