UEFA Champions League: Barcelona Slaughter Bayer, APOEL Through On Penalties

APOEL Nicosia are fielding a slightly more attacking lineup than expected, though it’s merely in subtle personnel changes. Esteban Solari starts up top, and he is more of a true striker than regular starter Ivan Trickovski. In a slightly surprising move, William and Olivera both start at the back while Kaka is benched. Lyon have opted to bench Bafetimbi Gomis for Ederson, which likely means that Lisandro Lopez will play as a true center forward instead of in the hole. Here are the lineups.

APOEL Nicosia Lineup (4-4-2): Chiotis; William, Olivera, Paulo Jorge, Poursaiditidis; Manduca, Nuno Morais, Heider Sousa, Charalambides; Ailton, Solari

Barcelona Lineup (4-3-3): Valdes; Adriano, Mascherano, Pique, Alves; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, Fabregas, Messi

Bayer Leverkusen (4-4-2): Leno; Kadlec, Toprak, Schwaab, Castro; Augusto, Bender, Reinartz, Rolfes; Derdiyok, Kiessling

Olympique Lyonnais are in control of their UEFA Champions League tie against APOEL Nicosia, but their road record this season suggests that this one is far from wrapped up. The reigning Cypriot champions have a lot of work to do after failing to get an away goal in a 1-0 loss in France, but a 1-0 win of their own to force extra time seems like a plausible result.

Both teams have been in very average form domestically as they keep one eye on the Champions League. Lyon lost 2-0 away to Nancy at the weekend and is in danger of missing out on the top three in France. APOEL have won their last two, but were a bit shaky before that. They’re four points off the top in Cyprus.