OL boss Bruno Genesio is hoping that fit-again captain Nabil Fekir can help his side bounce back and take a big step towards a last-16 berth as Hoffenheim come calling at the Groupama Stadium on Wednesday.
UEFA Champions League, Group F
Olympique Lyonnais – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
>> Live scoring from 21:00 CET
Olympique Lyonnais’ inconsistency in the league has left them four points adrift of the top three after 12 rounds, but in the Champions League, Bruno Genesio’s side are second in Group F, undefeated and just a point shy of leaders Manchester City and three points clear of Hoffenheim and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Thus OL can take a huge step towards clinching qualification for the last 16 with a result at home to the German club on Wednesday, but questions marks were raised at the weekend as they struggled to a 1-1 draw at home to Bordeaux on Saturday.
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Genesio: ‘We owe them a response’
“This fixture will be like a knockout match for us, because if we win it, it will take us a long way towards qualifying. We have a lot of determination and drive in front of our own fans. We owe them a response after our performance on Saturday,” explained Genesio, who was vocal in his displeasure after the clash with Les Girondins but more upbeat in Tuesday evening’s press conference.
“It’s part of the job to always ask the tough questions and to never give up. Before each Champions League match this season, we have had similar results in the league, drawing with Caen, Nantes and Bordeaux, and that proves that these are two completely different competitions. It’s up to us to do all we can to make a change.”
Captain Fantastic
Genesio was without captain Nabil Fekir when OL battled to a 3-3 on Hoffenheim on Matchday 3, but the talismanic forward is back from injury and Genesio will be counting on him to deliver in this important clash.
“The first match was full of imbalances and defensive errors on both sides, and we need to learn our lessons from that,” said the OL boss, who evidently relies on the home-grown playmaker – who struck in OL’s shock Matchday 1 win over Manchester City – to no small extent. “I’m expecting Nabil to be our technical leader and captain out on the pitch, a role in which he always acquitted himself well last season. He gives the team confidence because we are better when he is there. His return to action is a plus on the pitch and in the dressing room.”
Strike duos
To get the job done, Genesio is tipped to play Fekir just behind lone striker Memphis Depay in a 3-5-1-1 formation, while Hoffenheim should, unsurprisingly, find room for first-leg goalscorers Andrej Kramaric and Joelinton as the front two in a similar formation to Genesio’s.
Probable teams
Olympique Lyonnais: A. Lopes; Marcelo, Denayer, Morel; Rafael, C. Diop, Tousart, Aouar, F. Mendy; Fekir (c); Depay
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Baumann; Nuhu, Vogt (c), Bicakcic; Kaderabek, Grillitsch, Nordtveit, Schulz; Demirbay; Kramaric, Joelinton
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