LYON coach Bernard Lacombe paid tribute to Rovers' efforts as they came within an ace of inflicting his team's first defeat of the season.

"I had said that with English and German sides you have never won until the final whistle and Blackburn were never finished," he said.

"Even with 10 men there was always, pressure, pressure, pressure.

"They profited from the mistakes that we made because they put a lot of pressure on us.

"I would particularly like to give a lot of credit to Blackburn."

And Lacombe spoke of his relief as his own team held on to their slender advantage, despite late openings forced by Rovers -- and his agony as the French club missed the opportunity to finish it on the break.

"We had a couple of chances but Blackburn also had their chances," he said.

"How did I feel when they didn't go in? How would you feel?

"I knew they didn't have the strikers they should have had but, despite that, Duff and Wilcox caused a lot of problems.

"I said it was going to be a difficult game but, funnily enough, we seemed tired at times compared to Blackburn.

"They looked fresher despite playing their last game a day later than us."

Asked if he felt the English players were technically as good as the French, Lacombe had no doubts.

"I didn't see any difference technically or tactically, especially with players such as Sherwood and Flitcroft -- no difference at all.

"I thought it might be difficult against Blackburn because they were doing badly in their championship.

"If they qualified for the next round, it could have got them going again. I was very aware of that."

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