'Admit your ignorance' - French media react to Liverpool's 'unforgettable' Toulouse defeat in Europa League
How the French media reacted to Liverpool's 3-2 defeat to Ligue 1 side Toulouse
French media have been reacting to Toulouse's historic 3-2 Europa League victory over Liverpool on Thursday evening.
The Reds travelled to the Southwest of France knowing if they secured a fourth consecutive Group E win then they would have their place in the Europa League knockout stages secured in early 2024. However, defeat at the Stadium Toulouse means the Reds will have to wait until Lask Linz visit Anfield at the end of the month before being able to wrap up a European group they have made light work of so far.
Though on a largely underwhelming night against the Ligue 1 outfit, in which Jurgen Klopp made nine changes from Sunday's draw with Luton Town, a late own goal from Cristuab Casseres and a neat finish from Diogo Jota were unable to earn the Reds a share of the spoils.
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For Toulouse, having spent 13 years out of Europe and only achieved promotion back to the top flight last summer, it was a historic night for the Ligue 1 club.
Here's how the French media reacted on Friday.
'One of the most beautiful pages in Toulouse history' - Le Figaro:
"Toulouse wrote on Thursday, in a melting Stadium, one of the most beautiful pages in its history by beating Liverpool (3-2), favourite of the Europa League, in which the last winner of the Coupe de France is well-placed to continue his adventure."
'Admit ignorance' - 20 Minutes
"Sometimes you have to admit your ignorance. We do not know, for example, whether the popularity of Michel Blanc crossed the Channel and the Rhine. And we cannot therefore say if the Reds and their German coach Jürgen Klopp grasped the reference of the Indians Tolosa, this Thursday evening, just before the kick-off of the Europa League match at the Stadium.
"The TFC ultras displayed the giant portrait of Jean-Claude Dusse, flanked by one of the favourite lines of the antihero of Les Bronzés sont du ski: “On a misunderstanding, it can work."
"On the other hand, we are sure of one thing: Carles Martinez Novell's hope has come true. The Spanish technician announced on Wednesday: “Liverpool must remember the Stadium. » And indeed, the third in the Premier League are not about to forget their experience in the den of the 14th in Ligue 1, which remained on three defeats, the last on Sunday at home against Le Havre, direct competitor for maintenance ( 1-2).
"Were the English surprised by the fervour of the 2,400 Toulouse supporters who had gathered at Anfield two weeks earlier, despite the beating received by their favourites (5-1)? They must have been amazed by the exceptional support given to the winner of the last Coupe de France on Thursday evening, in an enclosure filled to the sky (32,026 people, to be exact)."
'Everyone wanted to keep a memory' - Le Equipe
"Mikkel Desler got the better of his opponent. Foresighted, he exchanged it on the field as soon as the final whistle blew. Before putting it on, he took care to turn the Liverpool jersey inside out to hide the name of the loser. Like the Danish right-back, his late teammates then rushed to organize shuttles in the Reds locker room.
"Everyone wanted to keep a memory of this “match that could make history”, according to the words spoken by Carles Martinez Novell, their coach, during his pre-match talk."
'Morale for the troops' - La Depeche
"The TFC now knows, its surprise victory this evening against the Liverpool juggernaut will do it the greatest good, whether for the morale of the troops, but also for the standings of Group E. By signing its second victory in four days, TFC is back in second place, two points behind its evening opponent, and now has seven units on its counter.
"Thus, TFC could take a giant step towards qualifying for the rest of the Europa League if successful, on November 30, against Union Saint-Gilloise at the Stadium. With 10 points and only one day remaining, Toulouse would put away the Belgian team (which would remain at 4 pts and would no longer be able to come back), but also the LASK (which, even with two victories in two days, would only be at nine points), and this, before the last day of the Europa League.
"In the event of a draw or defeat, the calculator must be taken out. Especially since on the last day, the USG will host the Reds, who will inevitably be vengeful and should not do LASK any favours at the end of November."