<span class="titolo">Benzema's Lyon Off The Mark After Stuttgart Victory</span></p> <span class="sommario">Two second half goals gave Lyon the win at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, the host side still sitting on zero points after three games...</span></p> Stuttgart held the bulk of the midfield possession but Lyon had the lion's share of the chances at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, and it showed as the visitors ran out 2-0 winners after a spirited second half performance. With Coupet still out for the visitors, the attacking engine of Cacau and Gomez fancied its chances against the hosts, but Die Roten could not make their chances count in the first 45 before being made to pay for it in the latter period. The Germans looked eminently at ease on home soil, putting their dreadful home form behind them to dominate the early exchanges. Gomez was a constant danger, while Farnerud was no less eager to break forward as the Swabians looked for their first home goal of the competition. But none was forthcoming, Lyon finally managing to overcome their apparent stagefright towards the end of the half. Indeed, Karim Benzema could have given the visitors the lead right at the death, only to spurn what was a free chance on goal. The second half saw a marked improvement from Lyon who, slowly but surely, began to make their mark. A goal came not too long after the restart, Fabio Santos drilling the ball home after Stuttgart conspicuously failed to clear their lines from a Juninho corner. Carelessness had cost them so dear of late in the Bundesliga, and that was the case here, too, as Lyon began to cement their advantage. Stuttgart brought on Ewerthon in a clear signal of attacking intent, but they could not find the composure that had been lacking for the whole game. Indeed, the home side were visibly dispirted by this point, and it was of little surprise when young Karim Benzema continued his purple patch of form with his Les Gones' second. He outmuscled his marker to round off a training-ground move from a corner, both Kader Keita and then Sidney Govou doing their bit to set the prodigy up for what turned out to be the matchwinning goal. Thus Stuttgart are well adrift at the bottom of the group with zero points and just one goal scored, while Lyon overturn consecutive 3-0 European defeats to remain in contention. Stuttgart 0 - 2 Lyon 0-1 Fabio Santos 56' 0-2 Benzema 79' Stuttgart: Schäfer; Hilbert, Tasci, Fernando Meira, Osorio; Meissner (Khedira 62), Pardo; Farnerud, Yilidiray Basturk (Ewerthon 71), Cacau; Gomez. Lyon: Vercoutre; Reveillere, Squillaci, Anderson, Grosso; Juninho, Fabio Santos, Kallstrom; Govou (Clerc 85), Benzema (Bodmer 84), Ben Arfa (Keita 74). Yellow Cards: Hilbert 42', Khedira 64', Cacau 76' - Kallstrom 30', Vercoutre 75'. Referee: Lucilio Cardoso Cortez Batista (Portugal).</p> <span class="titolo"></span></p>
Stuttgart lost a few players during the off-season and those few losses seemed to dismantle their strength. Now they're an above average mid-table club, sadly.</p>
