The president of Lyon Jean-Michel Aulas decreed the general mobilization before the match against Hoffenheim, tonight (9 pm), capital for the qualification of the OL for the 8th finals
"It's a historic match and you have to win it." In the first leg, on October 23, the Lyonnais had conceded the point of the draw (3-3), disappointing given the circumstances of the match. In the standings, Lyon, still 2nd with five points and leading 3-2 in the 67th minute, missed the opportunity to take a serious option for the qualification. And purely sporting, the team has not raised doubts about its defensive strength. "Take an option for qualifying."
The very pale performances against Angers (2-1) and Bordeaux (1-1) did not really reassure the fans. Not to mention the states of mind of Memphis Depay, who claims a status of great player without always assuming on the ground the requirements of constancy or those of Tanguy Ndombele, who seems to have difficulties to assume his stripes of new international.
"We did not think specifically of Hoffenheim, we need to do better, it's obvious and more control," admits defender Marcelo, currently a target of criticism. "We really have a big game on Wednesday (today), we will have to do everything we can and take an option for qualifying." A victory would allow Lyon, who beat Manchester City in opening the competition (2-1), to raise their capital points to eight.
Hoping for a defeat of Shakhtar Donetsk on the ground of the English, the Rhodanians would also leave the German and Ukrainian clubs six lengths two days from the end, what to address them with serenity for the 8th finals. A stage of competition that the Rhodanians have not reached since the 2011-2012 season.