Lyon takes on the legendary Juventus

"An 8th final against Juventus, it makes you want," jubilant Rudi Garcia. And the OL coach is probably not the only one to salivate before this first leg match, this Wednesday in Lyon (9 p.m., RMC Sport) against Italian champions who "are used to winning and not a lot of weak points ". Admittedly, all is not rosy among the Black and White of Juve, with Maurizio Sarri, successor of Max Allegri on the bench since last summer, who is struggling to print his paw. Less sovereign, less killer, less serene, the Old Lady. But she is there, faithful to the appointment, leading in Serie A, in favorable waivers in the semi-finals of the Italian Cup and of course in the knockout stages of a Champions League that she no longer has won since ... 1996. "Juve is favorite," says Garcia. "The beauty of football is also that it is not always the strongest who win," he adds, citing examples of the defeats of Liverpool and Paris last week. It's up to us to play our luck, to sell our skin dearly, in order to get out of Groupama Stadium with our heads held high. "

"This season, I am announcing that we will win titles"

Recall that Bianconeri and Lyonnais took the door at the same stage of the competition last year, respectively eliminated by Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona. After Lionel Messi, it is Cristiano Ronaldo's turn (read below), to walk on the lawn of the Parc OL which will host three games in a row, in seven days. And not just any. Juve on Wednesday, then the derby against Saint-Etienne on Sunday, and a semi-final of the Coupe de France against PSG, on March 4. A turning point in the OL season, seventh in Ligue 1, but still on track in all competitions. For now… "It's more than a turning point in the season, it's a turning point in the history of OL, a meeting with history," promises Jean-Michel Aulas at Le Figaro. And to add: “This season, I am announcing that we will win titles. "

»READ ALSO - Jean-Michel Aulas at Le Figaro:" Facing Juve, Lyon has a date with history "

It's up to Moussa Dembélé, Houssem Aouar and Anthony Lopes not to miss this triple meeting. Especially since the demanding Lyonnais supporters do not necessarily share the enthusiasm of their president and only grant, as we know, a limited credit to the former OM coach Garcia. The latter also took the Lyon wagon en route this season, after the dismissal of Sylvinho, himself successor to Bruno Génésio. In terms of game quality, and even results, the effects are slow to be felt. And it is not the slow victory brought back from Metz last Friday (0-2) that will reassure the people of Lyon. Of course, Lyon was not spared from injuries (Depay, Reine-Adélaïde, Dubois…). "JMA" had to take out the checkbook this winter to recruit Bruno Guimaraes and Karl Toko-Ekambi.

"Against Juve, it will be necessary to take pleasure in attacking, racing the match and having moments of madness to shake them up"

"We have a pretty incredible week, as we wish to play every season, which proves the greatness of OL, notes Rudi Garcia. The notion of pleasure is very important. Against Juve, it will be necessary to take pleasure in attacking, racing the match and having moments of madness to shake them up, but also pleasure to defend together, to be coherent, united, motivated. (…) You will have to be on top in all areas, mental, tactical, technical and physical. "And rely on" the 12th man "that will represent the Groupama Stadium, where will take place some 3,000 supporters of Juve. This is not without creating some concerns here and there, in the midst of a coronavirus crisis ... “We must leave it to the authorized persons to take care of it. We are focused on the preparation of the match, the pitch, nothing else, ”says Garcia. And on the field, it is a big part of the OL season which will be played in seven days. "Dreaming is not cursed, let alone blaspheme", professes Jean-Michel Aulas. But from dream to nightmare, there is sometimes only one step…

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• Garcia before Lyon-Juve: "It's not always the strongest who win"