Squillaci puts squeeze on Roma

Having established himself as a vital component of the meanest defence in this season's UEFA Champions League, Olympique Lyonnais centre-back Sébastien Squillaci is relishing the prospect of another tense battle with AS Roma on Tuesday.

'Under pressure'
The Rhone club have conceded just three goals in Europe this term, registering their fifth clean sheet in seven games in the goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico. Squillaci hopes to extend that record at the Stade de Gerland as Lyon target a last-eight spot for the fourth consecutive year. "As a defender, you're always under pressure because you never want to concede," the French international said. "We'll try to remain solid as usual. However, I don't mind conceding a goal if we end up scoring two or three. Qualifying is all that matters."

'Twists and turns'
Lyon are not short of UEFA Champions League experience but Squillaci is the only player in their ranks to have played in a final. Part of the AS Monaco FC side that lost to FC Porto in 2004, the 26-year-old wants to emulate that run with the French champions. "It's difficult to make comparisons because that campaign with Monaco was full of twists and turns," he said. "This is different - we're involved in a tight contest with Roma. There's no special method for winning these games. After the 0-0 draw over there, we simply need to win at home."

Squillaci warning
The first leg on 21 February produced more yellow cards than any other match in this season's competition, and Squillaci warned: "It's important that we keep our nerve. We're used to playing in pressure matches and we never respond to provocation. But we'll still need to be careful."

'Clever movement'
Squillaci initially struggled to impose himself at Lyon after leaving the principality last summer, yet has gradually gained in stature playing alongside Cris. The pair afforded Roma few openings over in Italy, although the presence of Francesco Totti remains a constant source of concern for Squillaci. "We need to be careful with Totti," he said. "He didn't have many opportunities in the first leg but he still created danger, in particular from free-kicks. His movement is always very clever and we'll have to be vigilant with him again."