Champions League

Bayern’s Rensing Sees Juninho Absence As An Advantage

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Michael Rensing is glad that Lyon free-kick specialist Juninho will be missing when the two sides meet in the Champions League on Wednesday, but has acknowledged that his side still face a tough game.

Dec 8, 2008 6:40:19 PM

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Champions League : Juninho (Lyon)

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The Brazilian dead-ball specialist picked up a yellow card in Lyon’s last Group F match against Fiorentina and is duly ruled out of this week’s crunch tie with Bayern.

“The fact that he is not playing is an advantage for us, but doesn’t give us a free ride,” Rensing explained in TZ.

“Their set-pieces are one of their strengths. If Juninho shoots then it is extremely difficult because the ball seems to move eight times.”

Lyon will also be without fellow Brazilian Cris who is suspended, while there is also a doubt over the availability of Ghanaian defender John Mensah.

Coach Claude Puel has a number of other injury concerns and due to the fact that both Bayern and Lyon have already qualified for the knock-out stage, he may also opt to rest Karim Benzema with a top of the table Ligue 1 clash with Marseille coming up next weekend.

Lyon went down to a 2-1 defeat at the weekend (their fourth of the season) when a last minute Ivan Klasnic penalty handed Nantes all three points.

“Despite everything, we want to win in order to be group winners” Puel told Kicker on Monday.

Mathew Burt, Goal.com