Safety first suits Le Guen
Tuesday, 8 March 2005
By Matthew Spiro in Lyon

  

Paul Le Guen Olympique Lyonnais coach  


Olympique Lyonnais coach Paul Le Guen has warned his players that they could
take an unwanted place in the history books if they show any complacency
against Werder Bremen in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first
knockout round tie on Tuesday.

First-leg lead
The French side look set to qualify for the quarter-finals for the second
season running after winning the first leg 3-0 at the Weserstadion two weeks
ago. They go into the game at Stade Gerland knowing the away team have been
eliminated on each of the 69 occasions that such a scenario has arisen in the
last 25 years.

Cautious approach
Furthermore, Lyon remain unbeaten at home in all competitions in 2004/05,
while Bremen have not won in France in four attempts. But while the odds
heavily favour his side, Le Guen is taking nothing for granted. "The
important thing is that we don't make history by becoming the first team to
lose such a lead at home," he said. "If we don't approach the game with
humility and caution, we'll be in trouble."

'Quality team'
Sylvain Wiltord, Mahamadou Diarra and Juninho Pernambucano were all on target
a fortnight ago, but reigning Bundesliga champions Bremen created several
chances of their own. "We haven't forgotten the way they attacked us," Le
Guen continued. "They're a quality team and have achieved great things in the
last year and a half."

We need to defend well first and foremost

Paul Le Guen


Domestic defeats
Lyon's confidence has taken a blow after two domestic defeats in the last
seven days, and Le Guen hinted that they will adopt a more defensive approach
than usual. "The players will obviously have the first-leg score in their
heads," he said. "We need to defend well first and foremost, then attack when
we can."

Wiltord alone
Jérémy Clément could be included to strengthen the midfield, with forward
Pierre-Alain Frau dropping to the bench and Wiltord playing a lone striking
role. Defenders Anthony Réveillère and Claudio Ca?apa are still out,
meaning Michael Essien will partner Cris at centre-half

Yellow peril
The Brazilian international, who excelled in Bremen, is expecting a testing
evening and insists he will put in another committed performance despite
being one yellow card away from suspension. "I'll go for my tackles," he
vowed. "If I get booked but help Lyon go through, then I'll be happy."

We need to attack from the start

Thomas Schaaf


Schaaf hope
Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf, meanwhile, is hoping for a repeat of the UEFA Cup
tie between these clubs five years ago. Schaaf was in charge when Bremen
recovered from a 3-0 defeat in Lyon to progress 4-3 on aggregate. "We need to
attack from the start because 90 minutes is not a long time to score four
goals," Schaaf explained.

'Early goal'
Bremen lost 1-0 against FC Bayern München at the weekend and Schaaf is
hoping for a good start tonight to boost his team's morale. "We've been very
disappointed with recent results," he said. "But if we get an early goal it
might give us a lift and put some doubt in the Lyon players' minds."

Magnin belief
Left-back Ludovic Magnin certainly believes Bremen can go through. The Swiss
international, who has shaken off a groin injury, said: "Of course we can do
it. We're just going to enjoy ourselves and try to write another beautiful
page in the history of German football."

Baumann back
Bremen have captain Frank Baumann back from suspension, though striker Ivan
Klasnic, who has recently returned from a calf injury, looks set to be on the
bench as Schaaf keeps faith with Miroslav Klose and Nelson Valdez in attack.

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