http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 would be looking to shake off their disappointing exit in the Champions League by giving a strong performance in the Ligue 1 encounter with LOSC Lille where victory is essential for both sides
Stade de Gerland, Lyon will see seven-time Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyonnais host reigning Ligue 1 champions LOSC Lille in Weeks 27 of the 2011/2012 Ligue 1 Championnat.
Nightmare in Cyprus
In the midweek, Remi Garde’s side were on the receiving end of an historical result. Les Gones travelled to Nicosia to play against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cyprus-c2881 giants APOEL Nicosia in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 encounter.
Lyon were leading the tie 1-0 but conceded an early goal which took the game to penalties. The Cypriots prevailed against the Ligue 1 side and became the first Cyprus side to reach the quarterfinals of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
For Lyon, the ousting was a major disappointment and was yet another defeat. Coach Remi Garde admits that his side lacked a lot of creativity despite having a host of chances which were not taken.
However, the tactician says that there is still a lot to play for this season and asked his charges to pick themselves up.
Far away from Champions League berth
The game against LOSC Lille is a big one for Olympique Lyonnais who are desperate to play in the Champions League next season. As things stand, Les Gones are seven points behind their rivals who are occupying the last UCL berth.
On current form, a podium finish seems highly unlikely. Following a 2-0 defeat against relegation-threatened Nancy Lorraine last week, Garde’s men are without a single win in their last five Ligue 1 matches. This poor run of results has seen the Rhone giants
slip to seventh place which is something the club is not used to.
Strong at home
Though they have not really been up to the scratch, Lyon do boast a good home record. Despite drawing their last two games at home, Lyon know that they could be able to return to winning ways at the expense of Lille.
However, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Lloris-c16408 feels that his team deserved to be in such a woeful position.
"Given how we've played since the start of the season, I think we deserve to be where we are. If we want to finish in the top three, we're all really going to have to up our game," said goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. "These sorts of games, against our direct rivals
for a top-three finish, are going to be decisive. We know what we have to do against Lille."
Secure third place
LOSC Lille on the other hand, know that they might not win back-to-back Ligue 1 crowns but are keen on playing in the Champions League again next season. The northerners don’t have a good record at Stade de Gerland but know that they must ‘own’ the last
Champions League spot at any cost.
Last weekend, Les Dogues drew 2-2 at home to relegation-threatened http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AJ-Auxerre-c38247 in a game which they initially led 2-0.
Rudi Garcia was not happy with the performance and said that his team lacked discipline and intelligence in that game. Repeating the two mistakes would certainly cost them dearly against Lyon who despite their recent struggles, are still a force to be reckoned
with.
Ruthless in travels
Lille are still pretty ruthless in away games and have the best away record in Ligue 1 this term. Lyon will certainly be facing a deadly foe that relishes away games against the other big boys.
Predictions
Low on morale and low on confidence, Remi Garde needs to somehow find a way to rally his troops against a Lille side that plays with a lot of flair. The draw last weekend against Auxerre would be enough for Garcia’s side to give a strong reaction so a strong
game dominated by Lille could be on the cards.
Predicted final score: Lyon 1-1 Lille
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