Lyon v Juventus: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, October 17, 2016
Article summary
"We have to get better and we all know that," said Lyon coach Bruno Génésio, who hopes the home game against Juventus can herald a mini-renaissance for his misfiring side.
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Article body
- Home coach Génésio hopes a win can get misfiring Lyon back on track
- Striker Lacazette expected to start for Lyon after an injury lay-off
- Lyon have lost only one of 15 at their new stadium, winning 12
- Juve without talismanic defender Giorgio Chiellini due to thigh trouble
- Juventus have won last five games, conceding only once in that time
Possible line-ups
Lyon: Lopes; Yanga-Mbiwa, Nkoulou, Diakhaby; Rafael, Tolisso, Gonalons, Darder, Morel; Fekir, Lacazette.
Out: Jallet (back), Mammana (ill), Rybus (unspecified), Kalulu (suspended)
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Benatia; Dani Alves, Khedira, Hernanes, Pjanić, Alex Sandro; Dybala, Higuaín.
Out: Asamoah (knee), Chiellini (thigh), Mandžukić (thigh), Marchisio (knee), Pjaca (calf), Rugani (knee)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Bruno Génésio, Lyon coach
A win would give us some momentum for our league campaign. We have to get better and we all know that. We need to get the quality back into our play. This game won't be all about the Nabil Fekir-Alexandre Lacazette partnership. Alex is back from five weeks out and he's likely to lack match fitness.
We have to be disciplined when we lose the ball against a team who are very strong defensively and also very good in possession. The pleasure in top-level football comes from winning – that's the only enjoyable thing about it.
Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus coach
It doesn't worry me that people say Juventus are winning without playing well. I don't know what 'playing well' means. The result is what matters. People remember who wins trophies, not who 'plays well'.
At Juventus we have our own qualities and with those qualities our aim is always to go as far as possible in every competition we take part in. I'm not worried about having players out injured. We have other players who can make the difference against a very organised Lyon side.
Weekend results
Nice 2-0 Lyon (Baysse 5, Seri 76)
Nabil Fekir was sent off after 28 minutes as Lyon's wait for an away success stretched to five games – they have lost four – since their Ligue 1 opener in August.
Juventus 2-1 Udinese (Dybala 43 51pen; Jankto 30)
The Bianconeri conceded for the first time in more than 400 minutes but nonetheless notched a fifth straight win – their 20th straight Serie A home victory. Paulo Dybala has four goals in his last three Juve appearances.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Lyon: LWLLWD
Juventus: WWWWWL
Reporter's view: David Crossan (@UEFAcomDavidC)
Lyon have slipped to ten points off top spot in Ligue 1 and have lost half of their 12 matches in all competitions this term. Why? The answer may well be the absence of Lacazette, the star striker who is now set for his first start since early September.
In tandem with Fekir, who has a point to prove after a red card at domestic leaders Nice on Friday, Lacazette could do damage against the Serie A pacesetters, who are favourites to win this one. Lyon need a result to remain in contention for the knockout phase.
Did you know?
Who scored the winner the last time Juventus faced Lyon in France? Find out more in our extensive match background.