Lyon v Ajax: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Article summary
It will take something extraordinary for Lyon to overcome last week's 4-1 defeat at Ajax but the French team are confident that in Alexandre Lacazette they have the X factor.
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Article body
- Lyon trail 4-1 following the first leg in Amsterdam
- Alexandre Lacazette set to start after a thigh injury
- OL have scored 13 in three knockout home games so far
- Lyon are yet to win in five matches against Ajax: W0 D2 L3
- Ajax let slip a 2-0 lead at Schalke in the quarter-finals
Possible line-ups
Lyon: Lopes; Jallet, Nkoulou, Diakhaby, Morel; Tousart, Gonalons; Cornet, Tolisso, Valbuena; Lacazette.
Out: none
Ajax: Onana; Viergever, Sanchez, De Ligt, Veltman; Klaassen, Schöne, Ziyech; Traoré, Dolberg, Younes.
Out: Sinkgraven (knee)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Europa League broadcast partner(s) here.
Bruno Génésio, Lyon coach
There was some dejection after the first leg, but I have stressed that it is still only half-time in the tie and it's still possible for us [to progress]. We have spoken a lot but now we have to show what we can do. We're capable of scoring lots of goals at the Parc OL. We really believe in ourselves.
Alex's [Lacazette] availability changes a lot. He will demand attention and he can also score at any time. However, he needs help and it will be a team effort. Ajax are a young side, who can be inconsistent. But we'll have to keep our nerve and, importantly, stay solid defensively. I'm hoping for a great performance.
Peter Bosz, Ajax coach
I'm not going to choose between scoring a goal ourselves and not conceding one: our intention is to score goals AND not concede any. We have a young team, but this is already our 18th European game this season so we are experienced as well.
We will have to learn fast to play our own game in away matches with a lot of fanatical fans, like we experienced at Schalke [Ajax surrendered a 2-0 first-leg advantage before winning in extra time]. There is a difference when 60,000 fans are cheering you or whistling you. If they are against you, you have to use it as motivation.
Weekend results
Lyon 3-2 Nantes (Fekir 65pen, Cornet 70 80; Valentin Rongier 19, Gillet 75)
Substitute Maxwel Cornet was the Lyon hero as Génésio's men came from a goal down to strengthen their hold on fourth spot in Ligue 1. Replacing Lacazette with 65 minutes gone, he headed his team in front following Nabil Fekir's penalty and sealed the points late on after Nantes had drawn level.
Ajax 4-0 Go Ahead Eagles (Kluivert 24, Dolberg 29, De Jong 48, Cassierra 71)
It was a dramatic afternoon in the Eredivisie as leaders Feyenoord missed the chance to wrap up the title in a 3-0 loss at Excelsior – their heaviest league reverse this term. Second-placed Ajax seized the lifeline with a comfortable victory over the bottom side, 19-year-old Kasper Dolberg grabbing his 15th top-flight goal of 2016/17 after Justin Kluivert had led the way with his second.
Form recent (all competitions)
Lyon: WLWLLW
Ajax: WWLLWW
Reporter's view: David Crossan (@UEFAcomDavidC)
Lacazette's availability is huge for Lyon, although Génésio's team are very much up against it. Having seen Monaco fail to produce a miracle in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Lyon will feel they're capable of giving it a better go. They have scored 13 in three knockout home games this season, though they have also conceded in each of those wins, something they cannot afford this time. Being bold is the only option, yet brave elimination remains the most likely outcome.
Did you know?
Lyon have the highest goals-per-game average of any side in this season's UEFA Europa League: 2.86. Find out more in our extensive match background.