“The people of Lyon and the club expect that. “It’s from Europe, via the Europa League (C3), of which Léo Dubois, French international and OL right-back speaks this Thursday. Only seventh at the end of the French Championship stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Jean-Michel Aulas’ club has only one chance not to miss membership in Europe: the final of the Coupe de la Ligue, this Friday evening (9:10 p.m.) against PSG.
“Tomorrow’s match can help us win a trophy and go and find Europe. It’s the only way now, ”Dubois sums up at a press conference from the Stade de France. For the full-back like his coach, Rudi Garcia, we must above all avoid the trap of considering this final as a preparation match for the knockout round of the Champions League, to be played on August 8 against Juventus Turin (victory 1- 0 to go).
“You got the wrong press conference”, smiles Rudi Garcia to the address of a colleague with a soft Italian accent. “The hierarchy is simple: first PSG in the Coupe de la Ligue, continues the former OM coach. It’s a great opportunity to win a trophy. It would be something magnificent, the first trophy since 2012 for Lyon. “
“We are convinced of our qualities”
Opposite, there is still PSG, winner last week of the Coupe de France 2020 against AS Saint-Etienne (1-0). What did the Lyonnais retain from the performance of the Parisians, deprived of Kylian Mbappé this Friday, who was hit in the right ankle? “Every game has its truth,” Garcia recalls. I don’t know the one for tomorrow night. We will be almost tied because PSG only played an official match. We want to try to find the intensity seen in the preparation matches. “
“We know the qualities of PSG, continues Dubois. The absence of Kylian Mbappé does not change the plans. There are only world-class players in front. We are convinced of our qualities. On the physical question, we are a little in the unknown but we are preparing for a match of very, very high level. I am convinced that the intensity will be important. “
All in a Stade de France still limited to less than 3,000 spectators (for a maximum capacity of 5,000 people with officials and other accredited persons) but under the announced heat wave. The thermometer should read 36 ° C on kickoff. “We had hot days in Lyon and we were able to prepare for them. But organizations can suffer late in the game. We must remain attentive to the hydration of the players, ”concludes Garcia. Without forgetting his thirst for victory.
