2023-11-09 23:27:55
Microphone in hand, Guillaume Restes, the young Toulouse goalkeeper, launches the victory song in front of the Stadium kop. This evening of November 7, 2023 will long be engraved in the annals of Téfécé. The winner of the Coupe de France produced a huge performance to beat Liverpool (3-2) on the 4th day of the group stages of the Europa League.
Threatened 15 days ago at Anfield Road (5-1), Toulouse, who had three consecutive defeats, took a stunning revenge. “After the first leg, we told ourselves in our heads that we were not that far even if people might think we were crazy,” smiles captain Vincent Sierro at the microphone of RMC Sport.
“On a misunderstanding, it can work” wrote the Toulouse supporters during their tifo when the players entered. A reference to Michel Blanc and the film “Les Bronzés sont du ski” which visibly inspired Martinez Novell’s players. We never saw them doubt despite a difficult start to the match marked by Gomes’ strike on the bar (4th).
Even when Liverpool, who had brought in Salah, Szoboszlai and Alexander-Arnold at the break, returned to 2-1 (74th) after goals from Aron Dønnum (36th) and Thijs Dallinga (58th), Toulouse did not panic . Having just entered the game, Franck Magri scored his first European goal (3-1, 76th). A great story for the Agenais who played in L2 at SC Bastia last season.
The end of the match was nevertheless unbreathable. After Jota’s score was reduced (89th), there were two minutes of confusion and worry after the equalizer in the 90th + 7 from Quansah. But after checking with VAR, the referee canceled the goal for a handball from Mac Allister at the start of the action. This would have been cruel for the Téfécé which could then explode.
“We had the opportunity to write history and we did it,” says Vincent Sierro. We were diligent and realistic up front, taking advantage of Liverpool’s weaknesses. Now, we will do everything to seek qualification. » It’s off to a good start after this 4th day. In the standings of Group E, Toulouse (7 pts), thanks to this victory, occupies 2nd place behind Liverpool (9 points) and ahead of Saint-Gilloise (4 pts), its next opponent.
On the Liverpool side, we have often seen Jürgen Klopp boiling in front of his sidelines. But after the match, the German coach sent a nice tribute to his opponent. “Congratulations to Toulouse! They deserve it. They responded to the physical challenge imposed on them. They were more aggressive and they knew how to score goals when necessary. Not us… “
At ten, Rennes wins against Panathinaikos
For its part, Rennes, which won (2-1) in Greece two weeks ago, achieved another success (3-1). If the Swiss Fabien Rieder had taken advantage of a hand fault from Brignoli to score from a free kick (9th), Panathinaikos equalized on a penalty from Ioannidis (1-1, 34th). During the action, the young (18 year old) Jeanuël Belocian was expelled. Outnumbered, Rennes came back in front in the second half with a goal from Ibrahim Salah (2-1, 65th), who had just come on in place of Martin Terrier, and a penalty from Ludovic Blas (3-1, 70th). ). In the standings, Rennes (9 pts) is in the lead with Villarreal.
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