Rosenborg ready for Lyon's den

By Pavle Gognidze

When Norwegian champions Rosenborg BK take to the field at the Gerland stadium in the UEFA Champions League tonight, they will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of AS Monaco FC, who on Saturday became the first team in almost two years to beat Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon.

Govou out
The 3-1 defeat by Monaco added to the damage already inflicted on Lyon by AFC Ajax, who beat the French side 2-1 last Tuesday. Coach Paul Le Guen's task against Rosenborg has been made even harder after striker Sidney Govou withdrew with a thigh injury. Former French international Tony Vairelles and French Under-21 striker Péguy Luyindula are in contention for his spot.

Key match
Lyon must make the Gerland a fortress once again if they are to qualify from Group D. Brazilian defender Edmilson is aware of the challenge ahead, saying: "This match could be decisive for the rest of the season." Yet Edmilson will be going into the game desperate to put the Monaco defeat behind him after the FIFA World Cup winner gave away a goal and was eventually sent off.

'We need to change'
Le Guen has admitted that adjustments are needed to his side, who have now lost three successive games. "We need to change several things," he said, before warning, "I will not take it easy with any of my players."

Fine form
Rosenborg will be looking to reproduce their fine form from their 2-2 draw with Internazionale FC last week. But Nils Arne Eggen's side will first have to forget the three 1-0 away defeats they sustained in the first group stage last season. Indeed, their last away victory in the Champions League was a win against BV Borussia Dortmund in 1999. Worse still, the last trip they made to France was to the Parc des Princes in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup campaign which ended in a 7-2 defeat.

New hero
A defender–turned-striker, Azar Karadas, will be the key figure for Rosenborg after his two goals against Inter. The Norwegian Under-21 player, who had always been a centre-back before Eggen moved him forward, has become a national hero since the game at the Lerkendal stadium. "Azar has the qualities needed for a game like this, being strong and with excellent heading skills," said Eggen.

'We should have won'
Yet Eggen feels his side should have done better against Inter. "If you count our chances we should have won the game," he said. "Inter's forwards are so effective they don't need as many chances to score and that is the lesson we must learn."

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