Belief the key for Lyon

Olympique Lyonnais defender Eric Deflandre says his team-mates must believe in themselves if they are to avoid further UEFA Cup humiliation against KV Club Brugge at the Gerland Stadium on Thursday.

'Humiliating punishment'
Lyon were thrashed 4-1 by the Belgian side in the first leg of their third-round meeting a fortnight ago before crashing 3-0 to Montpellier Hérault SC in Le Championnat. "We suffered a humiliating punishment last time we met Brugge and now we have to show our real football," Deflandre said. "That performance was out worst in Europe for the past two seasons and was unworthy of a club like Olympique Lyonnais."

Three goals
The French side need three goals if they are to progress through to the fourth round and self-belief is the key for Deflandre. "We have to believe in it because we have the potential to do it," he added. "We need to start well, show great discipline tactically and good organisation on the pitch. Last year in the [UEFA] Champions League's second phase we defeated [FC] Bayern [München] 3-0, and we have to remember that when we face Brugge."

Trio out
Coach Jacques Santini echoed the sentiments of his defender, saying: "This is a very important game for us and the players will be prepared as a result." Nevertheless, he will be without Brazilian defender Edmilson after he injured his knee during a French League Cup victory at the weekend. Midfield player Marc-Vivien Foe (groin) and defender Claudio Claudio Caçapa (thigh) are also definitely sidelined.

'Anything can happen'
Santini's opposite number, Brugge coach Trond Sollied, is guarding against any complacency among his team after last Saturday's 3-1 home league defeat by R. Standard de Liège. "Even if we had beaten them 10-0, we wouldn't feel any different about the difficulty of the return game against Lyon," he said. "Anything can happen there."

Broken toe
Brugge trained on Wednesday and it is expected that defender Peter Van der Heyden, who is suffering from a broken toe, will play in France. "With a painkilling injection I think it will be possible," he said, backing the decision of the club's medical staff to allow him to play. Philippe Clement and Nastja Ceh have ankle injuries but are likely to be among the 18 or 19 players Sollied will select for the match in France.