Marinos Satsias – APOEL Nicosia (14/02/2012)

This is a collector's item of exceptional rarity, from the most memorable Champions League sagas. This match issued (prepared for the match) jersey was assigned to the emblematic midfielder and Cypriot captain Marinos Satsias during the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 between Olympique Lyonnais and APOEL Nicosia, on February 14, 2012, at the Gerland stadium.

Match Context: The Cypriot Lock and Lacazette's Flash of Brilliance

For this first leg of the Round of 16, Rémi Garde's OL were clear favorites against the competition's surprise package, APOEL Nicosia, the first Cypriot club in history to reach this level. But from kick-off, Lyon came up against an ultra-disciplined, united, and perfectly organized defensive block, determined to hold their ground and counter-attack.

Dominant but for a long time lacking inspiration against the Cypriot wall, "Les Gones" finally found the breakthrough in the 58th minute. Ideally served by a powerful pass from captain Cris, young Alexandre Lacazette cut inside and unleashed a deflected shot that lobbed goalkeeper Chiotis. Despite several other attempts, Lyon failed to extend their lead and won by the narrowest of margins (1-0). A valuable but tricky result before a historic return match in Nicosia.

Marinos Satsias: The Soul and Captain of APOEL

A true living legend of the club, Marinos Satsias spent his entire professional career in the yellow and blue jersey of APOEL Nicosia, where he was the emblematic captain and the guarantor of the club's fighting values.

For this crucial trip to Gerland, the experienced defensive midfielder was placed on the substitutes' bench by Ivan Jovanović. Although he did not play in this first leg, his leadership in the changing room was invaluable in guiding his teammates in resisting the Rhone attacks. Prepared with the greatest care by the club's staff for this big European evening, this official jersey features all the exclusive match details and official Champions League patches. An absolute collector's item for any fan of European history, Olympique Lyonnais, or the heroic sagas of Cypriot football.