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.
APOEL Nicosia Vs. Lyon, 2012 UEFA Champions League: Cypriots Need A Comeback
APOEL Nicosia are in a 1-0 hole against Lyon, but have a good chance to reverse the result.
APOEL is missing one key player, Helio Pinto, through suspension by way of yellow card accumulation. Otherwise, they have a full team to pick from. Lyon is without Yoann Gourcuff, but it's highly unlikely that he would have been selected anyway. Dejan Lovren returns to the team from injury and should make the 18-man squad.
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.
The home side aren’t expected to make any changes to their normal team in order to chase the game, but Ivan Jovanovic might have to make some early substitutions if they’re not creating chances. The work rate of Ivan Trickovski as an attacking midfielder/second striker is fantastic, but he often finds himself very deep when APOEL’s opposition are keeping the ball well, and they won’t be able to create much with 10 men behind the ball. Esteban Solari and Marcinho came on as late substitutes in the first leg, but they could make early appearances if APOEL fails to score in the first half.
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, March 7, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus
TV: FOX Soccer Plus (USA), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sports 1 (UK)
Online: FOXSoccer.tv
Projected APOEL Nicosia Lineup (4-4-1-1): Chiotis; Olivera, Kaka, Paulo Jorge, Poursaiditidis; Manduca, Sousa, Morais, Charalambids; Tricovski; Ailton
Projected Olympique Lyonnais Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Cissokho, Cris, Kone, Reveilliere; Gonalons, Kallstrom; Bastos, Lopez, Briand; Gomis
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