Former Devils revel in leaving City red-faced

Former Manchester United players Memphis Depay and Rafael da Silva took extra pleasure in helping Lyon upset Manchester City 2-1 in their Group F Champions League opener at the Etihad yesterday morning (Singapore time).

A flat-looking City were 2-0 down at home by half-time after Maxwel Cornet drove home a Nabil Fekir cross that Fabian Delph made a hash of clearing on 26 minutes, before Fekir found the net himself after robbing Fernandinho and beating Ederson two minutes before the break.

City pulled one back through Bernardo Silva, who produced a smart finish after a superb jinking run from substitute Leroy Sane on 67 minutes.

But it wasn't enough to prevent the English Premier League champions from losing their fourth straight European tie and for Lyon right-back Rafael to continue his good form against the Citizens.

He said: "It's a very good feeling - I never lose here!

"I'm very happy. Everybody knows I'm a United supporter so it's very good to come here and win...

"We pressed good, did well when we didn't have the ball and were killer on the counter attack.

"We did very well all game."

Depay, who hit the post when Lyon were 2-0 up, too, let his Red Devils roots show, posting on Instagram: "Manchester is still red."

He told BT Sport after the match that his team are confident of progressing from a group that also features Hoffenheim and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Said the Dutchman: "It is a big result. I am proud of the team.

"It was difficult game but when we had the ball we tried to play and when we won the ball we tried to counter-attack.

"We have a good team and tonight we showed that we can definitely go through from this group stage."

While Rafael and Depay showed their former allegiances, goalkeeper Anthony Lopes paid tribute to under-fire coach Bruno Genesio, who has come in for criticism after Lyon lost two of their opening five Ligue 1 matches.

The Portuguese told French broadcaster RMC: "Genesio was criticised, sometimes unjustly.

"We managed to get out all we had in us this evening. We proved that Lyon are always a threat. We all did it for the coach, who was a bit in trouble."

GUARDIOLA'S ABSENCE

Mikel Arteta, who was deputising for suspended City coach Pep Guardiola on the touchline, wasn't keen to discuss if his compatriot's absence had any bearing on his side's lacklustre performance.

He said: "I have no idea. The reality is Pep wasn't here and we lost the game.

"I can't tell you what would happen if he were here.

"We were very aware of Lyon's strengths and weaknesses. We were well prepared.

"We weren't prepared to be 2-0 down at the break, but you have to react...

"We didn't feel the flow around the team.

"We missed the right pass and didn't find consistency.

"We felt under threat every time we lost the ball, that can bring the confidence lower."

Silva, meanwhile, said the result proved that his side are not the Champions League favourites they have been dubbed in some quarters.

He told BT Sport: "We have to focus on a poor first half when we weren't at our best.

"We didn't play with our usual intensity. We were not good enough tonight...

"We are not favourites. We have a good team and will try to do better than last season."

One player who has not replicated last season's form is Gabriel Jesus, who has scored only once in his seven appearances this season - during the 6-1 drubbing of Huddersfield Town.

Former City and England defender Joleon Lescott believes the Brazilian's form is cause for worry.

He told BT Sport: "You know with (Sergio) Aguero you're always going to get goals.

"Jesus probably hasn't scored as many as he would like this season. You get work rate but when you're playing up front for Manchester City it needs to be more than work rate."

Former Chelsea and Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend called City an unrecognisable shambles while commentating on the game for the BBC.

He doubled down on his comments after the game, saying: "I described Manchester City as being a 'rabble' - and they really were that bad.

"They were a team that appeared disorganised and did not look like they were together, and were also conceding possession unnecessarily."

GROUP F'S OTHER MATCH

Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Hoffenheim 2