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Claude Puel: Fiorentina Encounter Will Be Very Hard For Olympique Lyonnais

Puel believes that les Gones face an intimidating test when they go to the Stadio Artemio Franchi to challenge the Viola...

Nov 24, 2009 2:19:56 PM

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Ligue 1 : Claude Puel (Lyon)

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Claude Puel

Olympique Lyonnais can secure top spot in Champions League Group E with victory over Fiorentina on Tuesday evening, but general manager Claude Puel is acutely aware of the task in les Gones’ hands.

The Rhone side have been criticised after a largely lifeless performance in their draw with Grenoble on Saturday and will do well to bounce back in Florence, especially minus players such as Francois Clerc, Anthony Reveillere and Jeremy Toulalan.

Puel has instructed his team to regain their concentration after the weekend slip as he has indicated that finishing first in the group is vitally important.

“We must finish first in the pool,” he asserted to France Football. “We are well placed to know that could be important. First place has the advantage of receiving their last 16 opponents in the second leg. This should make us very focused.”

Concerning Tuesday’s game, he said, “[It will be] a very, very hard game. We will respond by playing smart and by being enterprising - that's what interests me most.

“We face a team who play very good football, which have a background of quality. It will be up to us to find solutions.”

Lyon defeated Fiorentina almost a year ago to the day in the same competition at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. A similarly impressive performance would be a welcome tonic in the Rhone Valley after Saturday’s struggles.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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