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Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas urges caution after APOEL Champions League draw
Owner admits the French side will be favorites to progress as they face the Cypriot surprise package but insists they must be very careful and avoid overconfidence
Dec 16, 2011 10:20:00 AM
By Oliver Platt
Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has urged caution after the Ligue 1 club were handed a seemingly favorable Champions League last 16 draw against APOEL Nicosia.
"We are probably favorites and it is not a problem for us," Aulas told reporters. "But we must not be overconfident.
"We must be wary. Sometimes, Santa Claus can be bad."
The reigning Cypriot champions topped a group featuring Zenit St. Petersburg, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk to progress to the knockout stage and Aulas insisted it was important that Lyon did not become overconfident.
Aulas emphasized the importance of the first leg, which will be played at the Stade Gerland in Lyon, as the French side seek to establish an advantage ahead of the reverse fixture in Cyprus.
"It is always harder to play the first game at home," he admitted. "Not to mention that APOEL have produced some great results on their own turf. "
"We are probably favorites and it is not a problem for us," Aulas told reporters. "But we must not be overconfident.
"We must be wary. Sometimes, Santa Claus can be bad."
The reigning Cypriot champions topped a group featuring Zenit St. Petersburg, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk to progress to the knockout stage and Aulas insisted it was important that Lyon did not become overconfident.
Aulas emphasized the importance of the first leg, which will be played at the Stade Gerland in Lyon, as the French side seek to establish an advantage ahead of the reverse fixture in Cyprus.
"It is always harder to play the first game at home," he admitted. "Not to mention that APOEL have produced some great results on their own turf. "
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