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Uefa Champions League
SportFootball

Lyon’s Rafael still red and relishing the prospect of a Champions League double over Manchester City

  • Ex-Manchester United defender goes head-to-head with Man City again on Tuesday night
  • Twin brother Fabio also playing in French Ligue 1

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Lyon’s Brazilian defender Rafael Pereira da Silva in action for Lyon against Guingamp. Photo: AFP
Andy Mitten
Nineteen games into the season and Manchester City have only lost once – at home to Olympique Lyonnais in their opening Champions League match in front of a largely derided 40,111 crowd, City’s lowest of the season.
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The French side led 2-0 at half-time, with former Manchester United players Rafael Pereira da Silva and Memphis Depay among their best players on the night.

“A great night – one for all Manchester United fans to enjoy too,” Rafael said. “I’m still a United boy and some of my old teammates messaged me after the game, and I enjoyed the celebrations. I was the last to leave the field. Why shouldn’t you enjoy moments like that in football?”
Rafael Pereira da Silva celebrates with Wayne Rooney during their time at Manchester United. Photo: AP
Rafael Pereira da Silva celebrates with Wayne Rooney during their time at Manchester United. Photo: AP
Lyon, fourth in Ligue 1, were as spellbinding as the young Monaco team who had eliminated Pep Guardiola’s side in 2017.

Rafael thinks there is no secret to why they inflicted City’s only bloody nose this term. “We played with confidence and we played as a team. We counter-attacked and defended well. You have to do that against City because they have so many players who can beat you one against one.

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“We were 2-0 at half-time and playing really well but it could have been three. We were a little surprised to be beating a team who’d not lost a game. They’re one of the best teams in the world, but we were not stunned because we know how good we can play. And why should I have been surprised? I have never lost at City.”

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