Francis Banecki – Werder Bremen (23/02/2005)

Here is a remarkably rare collector's item from the most prestigious European competition. This match-issued (prepared for the match) jersey was allocated to the young and athletic German defender Francis Banecki during the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 between Werder Bremen and Olympique Lyonnais on February 23, 2005, at the Weserstadion.

Match Context: OL's Show of Strength on German Soil

This first leg of the round of 16 was set to be a huge challenge for Paul Le Guen's Lyon team, who were away to the reigning German champions, renowned for being formidable at home. However, the Gones would deliver a true lesson in realism and tactical mastery to the Bremen public.

Solid defensively and surgically efficient, Lyon caught the Germans off guard thanks to Sylvain Wiltord, who opened the scoring in the 9th minute. In the second half, OL accelerated and hammered home their advantage thanks to their giant Mahamadou Diarra (77th minute), before the free-kick master, Juninho Pernambucano, completed this masterpiece with a masterful strike in the 80th minute. Lyon won with impressive authority (0-3) and took a huge step towards the quarter-finals, dashing Werder's ambitions in front of their home supporters.

Francis Banecki: A Young Talent Awaiting His Big Night

A great prospect for the club, a German youth international with an imposing physique, the versatile Francis Banecki had just joined Werder Bremen's professional squad under Thomas Schaaf during the 2004-2005 European campaign.

For the reception of the Lyon armada, the challenge proved a little too great for the 19-year-old defender. Not included in the final match sheet, he had to watch his team's heavy defeat from the stands of the Weserstadion. Specially prepared by the German club's kit manager for the dressing room that evening, this official jersey features all the exclusive game details and patches specific to Champions League starry nights. A highly symbolic collector's item that marks the beginning of one of the most memorable sagas in the modern history of Olympique Lyonnais.