Lyon keep calm ahead of visit of Valencia
Monday, September 28, 2015
Article summary
Lyon and Valencia play at the Stade de Gerland on Tuesday, both looking to pick up their first Group H win. "There's no more pressure on us," said the hosts' coach Hubert Fournier.
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Article body
- Lyon welcome Group H rivals Valencia to Stade de Gerland
- Lyon coach Hubert Fournier: "Valencia have a lot of quality and experience"
- Valencia defeated another Ligue 1 side, Monaco, in the play-offs
- Both teams seeking first win in Group H after disappointing starts
- Valencia goalkeeper Matthew Ryan passed fit after knee problem
Possible lineups
Lyon:Lopes; Jallet, Biševac, Umtiti, Morel; Ferri/Darder, Gonalons, Tolisso, Valbuena; Beauvue, Lacazette.
Out: Koné (foot), Bedimo (thigh), Grenier (thigh), Rafael (thigh), Yanga-Mbiwa (groin), Fekir (knee)
Valencia: Ryan; Cancelo, Mustafi, Abdennour, Orbán; Pérez, Fuego, Parejo; Piatti, Negredo, Feghouli.
Out: André Gomes (muscle), Gayà (hamstring), Diego Alves (knee)
Hubert Fournier, Lyon coach
We are in similar situations, even though Valencia lost at home [on matchday one]. We were disappointed with the [draw] in Gent but it was fair. If we can get a good result against Valencia, it will allow us to move forward in positive fashion. There's no more pressure on us even though we didn't win in Gent.
Valencia have a lot of quality and experience – we saw how they handled the [play-off] against Monaco. However, I prefer to get the best out of my own players. While we respect Valencia, we have our own attributes to showcase. Alexandre Lacazette is getting better and better and will start as he was rested against Bordeaux. These are the type of games in which he will prove his worth.
Nuno Espírito Santo, Valencia coach
We need to win because we lost our first match, but this game is not decisive. It is going to be a great match, there's no need for extra motivation. We will try and improve again. We will play with togetherness, which is our philosophy.
We are ready to show our worth to our supporters. We want to get the best out of all our players and I plan to rotate to achieve that. We want to minimise our mistakes and stay strong collectively. The team that win possession will win the match. Whatever the result, though, there are another four games to come, a long way to go.
Weekend results
Bordeaux 3-1 Lyon (Khazri 16, Plašil 40, Pablo 45+2; Beauvue 78)
Lyon are now eight points adrift of leaders Paris after defeat by a Bordeaux team that lost 6-1 at Nice in midweek. OL were three down at half-time.
Valencia 1-0 Granada (Mustafi 26)
Shkodran Mustafi's goal earned Valencia their first home league victory of the campaign. The Germany defender headed in Zakaria Bakkali's cross.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Lyon: LWDDDW
Valencia: WLDLWD
Reporter's view: Chris Burke (@UEFAcomChrisB).
Lyon and Valencia are desperate for a boost after disappointing matchday one results and inconsistent domestic showings, with the French side still smarting from Saturday's humbling by Bordeaux. Depleted by injuries and with just one home win all season, Lyon need Alexandre Lacazette to rediscover his focus and tap into last term's form against the team punished by Hulk last time out.
Did you know?
Zlatko Zahovič and Steve Marlet were among the scorers in the sides' previous meetings; find out more in our extensive match background.