'Last chance' Lyon out to end Zenit run
Monday, October 19, 2015
Article summary
Perfect in Group H, Zenit are aiming to seal qualification as soon as possible according to André Villas-Boas, while Hubert Fournier believes this is Lyon's last chance.
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- Zenit, with 100% record in Group H, host Lyon who have just one point
- Zenit have not lost in four home games against French opposition
- Both clubs ten points off leaders in respective domestic leagues
- Zenit coach André Villas-Boas determined to seal qualification as soon as possible
- Lyon coach Hubert Fournier calls this his team's "last opportunity"
Possible lineup
Zenit: Kerzhakov; Anyukov, Garay, Lombaerts, Neto; Javi García, Witsel, Shatov, Danny; Hulk, Dzyuba.
Out: Smolnikov (adductor), Fayzulin (knee)
Doubtful: Criscito (foot)
Lyon: Lopes; Jallet, Yanga-Mbiwa, Umtiti, Rafael; Darder, Gonalons, Valbuena, Tolisso; Beauvue, Lacazette.
Out: Bedimo (thigh), Fekir (knee), Fofana (ankle), Grenier (thigh), Kalulu (ankle), Biševac (thigh)
Doubtful: Morel (back)
André Villas-Boas, Zenit coach
Tomorrow is a very important game for us, because we can almost guarantee qualification for the knockout phase with a win. It is very important we advance for ourselves and the fans – that's our ambition. Lyon are a strong, experienced team. [Mathieu] Valbuena, [Alexandre] Lacazette, Rafael are all experienced.
At this level the individual skill of the players is important, because within a few seconds a player can turn the outcome of the match. [Artem] Dzyuba and [Oleg] Shatov as well as Hulk, Danny, [Axel] Witsel can all change games. We have very good players in attack and are very good on the counter – it is perhaps out best feature – but that is unlikely to surprise the Lyon coach.
We still have games to come in France and Belgium after this but when it comes to qualifying, the sooner the better. I'm very pleased with six points from two matches and want us to continue in the same vein.
Hubert Fournier, Lyon coach
From analysing Zenit's games, it seems to us that we are looking at two different teams – one in the Russian Premier League and one in the Champions League. Hulk in particular is a very powerful player who can change the course of a match. Mathieu Valbuena's experience in Russia [with Dinamo Moskva] has helped us to a certain extent.
We have the capacity to beat Zenit, especially seeing the problems Gent caused them [on matchday two]. We know they are very dangerous on the break but we will, as usual, attack while also being careful in defence. Zenit go into this game with six points so it is a normal match for them. For us it is a last opportunity to start accumulating the points needed to get out of the group. Despite this pressure though, my players must focus only on positive emotions.
Weekend results
Kuban 2-2 Zenit (Xandão 2, Melgarejo 64; Dzyuba 44, Shatov 54)
Zenit are ten points adrift of leaders CSKA after Saturday's result. They fell beind on just two minutes to Xandão. Artem Dzyuba equalised before half-time and Oleg Shatov made it 2-1, only for Lorenzo Melgarejo to earn the hosts a point.
Monaco 1-1 Lyon (Pašalić 39, Rafael 84)
Lyon were left frustrated at Stade Louis II on Friday despite claiming a point through Rafael's 84th-minute equaliser. Mario Pašalić put Monaco ahead on 39 minutes but Lyon dominated thereafter and played the last 24 minutes against ten men following Wallace's dismissal. Despite 15 shots on target, Rafael was the only visiting player to break through.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Zenit: DWWDDD
Lyon: DWLLWD
Reporter's view: Evgeni Polyakov (@UEFAcomEvgeniP)
Zenit appear to be stuck in a parallel reality. Hulk has been happy to swap his role as star striker for that of passer-in-chief, while two wins out of two in the UEFA Champions League have been perceived as nothing more than atonement for domestic travails. Zenit are ten points behind Premier-Liga leaders CSKA Moskva, the same tally by which Lyon trail Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. Fournier's team also have just a solitary Group H point, meaning they may have their work cut out despite all not being perfect for their hosts.
Did you know?
Villas-Boas was coach of the Tottenham Hotspur side that overcame Lyon in the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League round of 32; find out more in our extensive match background.