OL's Coupe de la Ligue finals
1997 was a third final for OL, the defending Ligue 1 champions and en route to a sixth consecutive crown. While OL would go on to win the championship, Les Girondins de Bordeaux would finish sixth. In the league, Ricardo's Bordeaux lost at home -1 (Fred and Wiltord) and won at the Stade Gerland 2-1 (Fred). OL eliminated PSG (2-1), Nancy (3-1) and Le Mans (1-0) on the way to the Stade de France.
31 March 2007, Stade de France, 79,072 spectators; referee: M. Piccirillo.
It was not a great game between the two sides. OL struggled for consistency against a side that did really try to play much football, as the statistics illustrated: 3 shots at goal, one on target, their first shot came in the 60th minute! OL were more adventurous: 15 shots (4 on target), but few really clear-cut scoring chances apart from a Juninho free-kick. Gérard Houllier's substitutions couldn't change the course of the final. Just as it looked as though the match would be heading into extra-time, Henrique met Micoud's corner in the final minute to head past Cris, Squillaci and Vercoutre. It was a huge upset for the favourite.
OL: Vercoutre; Clerc, Squillaci, Cris, Abidal; Toulalan, Tiago (Wiltord 91), Juninho (cap) (Källström 66); Govou, Fred (Baros 72), Malouda. Coach: Houllier
Girondins de Bordeaux: Ramé (cap); Jurietti, Planus, Henrique, Wendel (Jussié 67); Fernando, Mavuba, Faubert, Micoud; Darcheville, Chamakh (Marange 46). Coach: Ricardo
Goal: Henrique (89)
Booking: OL, Clerc (38), Fred (65); Girondins, Micoud (34), Chamakh (45), Jurietti (66).
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