Steaua denied by Diarra strike

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Olympique Lyonnais completed the UEFA Champions League group stage with an unbeaten record although they had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against a well-organised FC Steaua Bucuresti side.

Early goals
The Romanian champions knew they would finish third in Group E regardless of the outcome here, and warmed up for their spring UEFA Cup campaign with an impressive display against an under-strength Lyon side who had clinched top spot with a draw at Real Madrid CF a fortnight ago. Nicolae Dica opened the scoring early on and was a menace to the home defence throughout, but Steaua ultimately had to settle for a point after Alou Diarra's 12th-minute equaliser.

Dica delight
Stress-free final group matches have become as much a feature of early December in Lyon as the city's traditional 'Fête des Lumières', and as in the past three years the Ligue 1 side rested several players with qualification already assured. Defensive duo Eric Abidal and Cris were among the absentees and Lyon's new-look back line was breached in the second minute. Fit-again captain Claudio Caçapa was slow to react to Sorin Paraschiv's cross from the right, allowing Dica to control on his chest and smartly volley in his fourth goal in this season's UEFA Champions League.

Diarra response
It was not the start that the capacity crowd had been anticipating but the home fans were celebrating when Diarra levelled matters on 12 minutes. Restored to the starting lineup at Jérémy Toulalan's expense, the French international midfielder rose unopposed to head in his first Lyon goal from Kim Källström's corner. The goal brought some relief but the French champions continued to lack their usual assurance and almost went behind again instantly as Vasilica Cristocea shot narrowly wide of Grégory Coupet's far post.

Lyon subdued
The tempo slowed considerably as the Lyon tightened up at the back, and though the Romanian side enjoyed plenty of the possession they struggled to create chances. Steaua captain Mirel Radoi was exerting considerable influence having recently returned from four months on the sidelines, but the athletic Diarra invariably stood in the visitors' way whenever they neared Coupet's goal. For their part, Lyon were unusually subdued, and John Carew's sizzling cross-shot on the stroke of half-time, pushed to safety by Cornel Cernea, represented only their second effort on goal.

Steaua opportunity
Sensing their opportunity to claim a major scalp, Steaua began the second period in more positive fashion with Radoi, Dica and Petre Marin all firing over. Lyon were getting stretched and Banel Nicolita almost scored twice in quick succession. Stirred into action, Gérard Houllier's side came back into the game as Källström volleyed over before Hatem Ben Arfa rifled into the sidenetting. Ben Arfa, deputising for the suspended Florent Malouda, then set up Sidney Govou only for Cernea to deny the Frenchman with a sharp save.

Visitors denied
It was Steaua who looked the more likely winners as the game neared its conclusion, and the introductions of Toulalan and Sylvain Wiltord for the final 20 minutes were proof of Houllier's concern. Toulalan's first touch was a timely intervention as he hacked the ball off the line after Coupet had parried Dica's close-range effort, and that was a close as Steaua came to securing a memorable win.

http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/UCL...report=RP.html