While Olympique Lyonnais enjoyed a period of unrivalled domination in France during the 2000s, they also established themselves as one of Europe’s elite clubs, never reaching the pinnacle of the continent’s game but always putting themselves forward into the mix. The last 16 once again beckons after two wins from two matches, and four points from their Benfica double-header would surely be enough to carry them into the knock-out stages.
Claude Puel’s side have endured a very poor start to the season. After seven rounds of Ligue 1 fixtures, they were lying in place to drop through the trapdoor to the French second division, though two games and six points later OL would appear to be exiting their early season crisis.
The fans have rallied against their general manager over the last month, yet Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Lille should have pacified them for the time being. Though not in total control of that fixture, Lyon did manage to play what was unquestionably their best fixture of the domestic season, aided greatly by Lisandro Lopez’s second minute opener, which eradicated any nervousness the home side might have been feeling.
“Lyon are getting stronger. Players are recovering. We had a lot of juice left and will play again in three days against Benfica, and we’ll have to be strong. But right now, we’ll savour [our victory],” Puel told Canal+ after the weekend’s success.
For OL, the time for savouring victory is over, and the time for ensuring a spot in Europe’s best 16 is once again here.
Also Improving
Like Lyon, Portuguese champions Benfica have not had an easy start to their domestic campaign, and like les Gones, the Aguias are starting to recover the situation.
While Rui Costa’s side didn’t quite dip their toes in the murky pool of the relegation zone, they wandered up to the edge and had a good look in. Deciding the top of the table was far more to their liking, the Lisbon club have hence won four of their last five fixtures, lifting themselves to second, seven points behind pace-setters Porto.
In Europe, Benfica have not managed to continue this resurgence. Expected to blow away Hapoel Tel Aviv on the opening evening of competition, O Glorioso rather limped to a 2-0 success, fortunate that a number of chances presented to the Israelis were passed up. Against Schalke in Germany, the Portuguese would slip-up, going down 2-0 due to a pair of goals in the last 20 minutes.
Their prospects of reaching the last 16 certainly hang in the balance, and defeat at the Stade Gerland on Wednesday evening would wipe out any prospect of them topping the table. On the other hand, victory would blow the whole group open and leave everything to play for, but if that is to be achieved, Benfica must finally transfer their domestic form onto the European stage.
TEAM NEWS
Lyon
Jeremy Toulalan has been ruled out for les Gones following a recurrence of a slight hamstring problem in the first half of Sunday’s game. He joins Ederson and Cesar Delgado on the sidelines.
Jimmy Briand will be drafted back into the squad after missing the weekend’s fixture due to a one-match ban.
Benfica
Oscar Cardozo may be Benfica’s most potent goal threat, but he is also their greatest worry ahead of their trip to France. Ligament damage will keep him out of the fixture, so Alan Kardec will start.
Roderick, Fabio Faria and Ruben Amorim are all carrying problems, but Fabio Coentrao could return to action after missing out at the weekend due to a slight bump. The left-back failed to train with the main body of the squad on Monday.
Prediction
Both sides seem to be on the up after poor starts to their respective campaigns, which means this should be a closely fought match. Lyon have enjoyed a recent habit of being able to pull out performances when they’ve needed them most, and though they are by no means guaranteed to win this fixture, they should be favoured over a side in greater need of the points.
O. Lyon 2-1 Benfica 
