Fearless Lyon waiting for Bayern

Fearless Lyon waiting for Bayern

Olympique Lyonnais' preparations for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final could hardly have been better return game. Not in the national measures at the weekend, Claude Puel and his players were in training camp, where they await the visit of Bayern Munich. Louis van Gaal, a second, all kinds of headaches is hard to believe since the first leg 1-0, with a variety of concerns and defensive wounds two major suspensions. Both coaches, however, have promised to stage two on the front foot to the head.

Claude Puel, Lyon coach
We have three days away from the city, as we have in front of Real Madrid and he was calm and quiet. I think our lack of experience is compared with Bayern not cause problems. We need to win by a two goal lead, so we need to do something. Bayern are confident, and they are right to do so because they dominated the first game. They are confident. We managed to pin it back during the first stage. It is regrettable to some, but they can also because they scored more goals.

We can not wait. We need to really focus, [but] I'm sure we can beat any team in Europe. We're not worrying about our opponents. We know that if Bayern have injury problems, other good players take their place. We have our own game not as a game in the first step.

Louis van Gaal, coach of Bayern
If I manage teams earlier in the Netherlands, I always told my players that German teams are fighting until the last minute. You could never say that you had won until the final whistle. We must do the same thing. This is an incredible commitment of our team. We have repeatedly stressed the answer, we are counting on us.

Unfortunately, some players had injury problems over the weekend. The tactical aspect was very well last week after Franck Ribery red card and I'm really proud of it. We always play to attack, we're not a team to defend, and can avoid conceding goals. We have not played all season and we're also not start. I never felt any pressure before the match. Heading into the game, the tension begins to mount, but it is useful, I needed to make my decision.

Team News
Bavaria
Departure: Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (gastroenteritis)
Doubtful Martin Demichelis (calf), Daniel Van Buyten (calf), Diego Contento (LEG), Miroslav Klose (disease)
Suspended: Danijel Pranjic, Franck Ribery
Misses next match if booked: none

• Tymoshchuk not traveled in France, while Demichelis, Van Buyten minor calf problem picked up on Saturday and Klose missed practice Monday with a cold.

• Hamit Altintop made on Sunday after recovering from a groin problem and is available.

Lyon
Departure: Francois Clerc (knee), Joan Hartock (torn hamstring), Mathieu Bodmer (groin)
Doubtful: Jean Makoun (groin), Lisandro (ankle), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Wade)
Suspended: Jeremy Toulalan
Misses next match if booked: Aly Cissokho, Cesar Delgado, Maxime Gonalons, Kim Kallstrom, Cris, Miralem Pjanic

• Cree would still suffering hip and knee to play in Munich, said Monday: "I feel better and should be OK. Boumsong has resumed training and should play.

Weekend Results
VfL Borussia Moenchengladbach 1-1 24/04/10 Bayern
(Reus 60, Klose 73)

• Miroslav Klose came off the bench to score in only his third League goal of the season.

• Only goal difference separates the league leaders Bayern second FC Schalke 04, Hertha BSC Berlin a 1-0 victory Saturday.

• Lyon home game against AS Monaco FC, scheduled for Saturday, May 12 has been postponed.

Background
• Claude Puel's side Stade de Gerland undefeated in Europe this season and has won their last three UEFA Champions League matches at home.

• Before first step, the clubs have met six times in the Champions League of UEFA in the past ten years, recording two victories each.

• Lyon has never won a European competition final major. Bayern, however, are competing in the 13th semi-final of European club competition for elite and the quest for a first final since they played Valencia CF in the UEFA Champions League victory in 2001 to achieve.

Did you know?
• Lyon player had made the field in their last three games: the maxim Gonalons against LOSC Lille Metropole on April 11, Anthony Reveillere FC Girondins de Bordeaux on April 17 in Munich and Toulalan.