From Bastia to PSG, French exploits on English soil

If no L1 club has yet to eliminate the English after a defeat at home, as Paris SG will try to do on Tuesday against Manchester City, the French have nonetheless achieved several European exploits on English soil.

Bastia, forever the first

In 1978, Sporting de Bastia offered themselves an epic which led them to the final of the UEFA Cup (former name of the Europa League), lost against PSV Eindhoven (3-0).

In the second round (round of 16), the Corsicans won 2-1 at home against Newcastle in the first leg. On the return, with a double from Johnny Rep, they won 3-1 and became the first French club to win a European Cup match in England.

Monaco and “Trézegol” shoot down Manchester

One of the first great exploits of ASM in the Champions League: in the 1998 quarter-finals, Jean Tigana’s men conceded a 0-0 to Louis-II.

But on the return, against all expectations, David Trézeguet opened the scoring at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s equalizer is insufficient: 1-1, the Monegasques are in the semifinals.

Lens, Conquerors of Wembley

During the group stage of the 1998-1999 Champions League, Lens became the first French team, clubs and all selections, to win on the legendary Wembley lawn.

The victim is Arsenal, relocated to Wembley because of work in its stadium. Mickaël Debève gives the victory 1-0 to the Sang et Or.

OL, OM: master strokes in Liverpool

“You will never win alone”. Marseille and Lyon won in quick succession in 2007 and 2009 at Anfield Road, the historic stadium of Liverpool, in the group stage of the Champions League.

Marseille signs the first French victory in front of the “Kop” thanks to a goal from Mathieu Valbuena (1-0) but the feat is useless, since OM will not qualify for the round of 16.

Two years later, Lyon did it again (2-1). The champions of France will go until the semifinals of this 2009-2010 edition.

Monaco blows up the Arsenal –

Against Arsenal in the round of 16 of the 2014-2015 C1, Monaco is an outsider. But Leonardo Jardim’s men let the English come and play brilliantly against: Kondogbia, Berbatov and Ferreira-Carrasco strike three times, for a 3-1 victory away from home.

ASM confirms with a 2-0 victory over the Rock.

Lyon, only winner at Manchester City

Lyon is to date the only French team to have triumphed on the lawn of the Citizens. In the 2018 group stage, Cornet and Fekir gave the “Gones” 2-0 advantage at the break. A goal from Bernardo Silva narrows the gap for City (2-1).

The same result on Tuesday would allow Paris SG to play overtime.

Paris, the feat wasted at Old Trafford

The Parisians have already won in Manchester, but against United, in February 2019. This 2-0 victory in the first leg, the first in the history of a French club at Old Trafford (goals from Kimpembé and Mbappé), will leave a very bitter taste.

On the return, ManU inflicted on PSG a sealed “remount” from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of added time. Beaten 3-1 at home, Paris is eliminated … But will take its revenge two years later, in the group stage last December, with a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford which will allow the Parisians to qualify for the eighth while eliminating the Red Devils.

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