LYON PICKING FORM JUST IN TIME

The round of 16 tie between French side Olympique Lyon and Barcelona currently sits tightly poised after the stalemate in the first leg. The first leg played two weeks ago was a cagey affair as both teams had opportunities to win the game.

It was surprisingly an open game despite Barcelona controlling most of the possession with both teams hitting the bar. However, the Lyon were the happier side after the clash as they travel to Barcelona knowing that a victory or a score draw would take the team to the quarter-finals stage.

The French team have been going about their domestic business in ruthless fashion of recent as they stopped PSG unbeaten run some weeks back. last Saturday Lyon put five past Toulouse in what was a dominant performance. The front four all scored with Moussa Dembele, BertrandTraore, Memphis Depay and Nabil Fekir all on the scoresheet.

Lyon seemed to miss Fekir in the first leg as he was out injured, the club captain’s creative abilities are among the best in Europe. He is going to be an important piece in the return leg at the Camp Nou alongside Memphis Depay.  The former Manchester United winger has come of age in France, becoming a key player for the club with his dribbling and playmaking skills a huge part of his game.

The Midfield is where the game is likely to be won and Lyon posses two of the most sought after midfielders in Europe in the form of Houssem Aouar and Tanguy Ndombele. Ndombele, in particular, has been impressive this season and was arguably the man of the match in the game at home to Toulouse. His constant pressing of the ball and endless stamina would be required in the game against Barcelona.

The defence has appeared to be Lyon’s weakest position in recent years, however this season the club has a legitimately strong backline. Marcelo and former Man City man Jason Denayer form the heart of the defence and both players are quick and efficient.

Former Manchester United ace Rafael mans the right back position and would have the job of preventing the talented OusmaneDembele from causing havoc. The left back position is also assured with the highly rated Ferland Mendy who missed the first leg due to injury expected to be fit for the clash.

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