Govou out to avoid defeat

Posted Wednesday, September 16, 2009 by PA

Lyon winger Sidney Govou admits his side are desperate to avoid a repeat of last season's winless start to the Champions League group stage when they embark on their latest campaign.

Les Gones were held to a 2-2 home draw by Fiorentina before their 1-1 result at Bayern Munich in their opening two games of last term's tournament, but recovered to qualify for the knockout phase.

They have an equally tough group this time round, with Fiorentina in the pool that also includes English giants Liverpool and Hungarian champions Debrecen.

Govou insists a strong start to the group stage is vital this time round.

"The first match at home is always important," said Govou. "We will try and make sure that we do not put in the same performance as last season.

"We have to start the competition well and the aim is to qualify from the group stage, a group in which Liverpool are logically favourites.

"If we could finish in first place it would be a plus."

Lyon are this season looking to win their Ligue 1 title, and have opened the campaign with four wins and a draw from their first five games to top the domestic table.

Fiorentina go into the opening Group E match at the Stade de Gerland hoping to have Romanian winger Adrian Mutu available.

Mutu, who missed last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Cagliari, is recovering from a muscle injury.

The Viola are fifth in the Serie A standings having won two of their opening three matches.

"We are growing in terms of our play and that is something that can only give us confidence," said Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli.

"This team has room for improvement but we are on the right path."

The good news for Prandelli is that Alberto Gilardino, who struck three times against Lyon last season, ended his goalscoring drought at the weekend.

The Italy international scored the winner to hand his team their second win of the campaign against Cagliari and is expected to lead Fiorentina's attack in France.

The Italians will fancy their chances of taking home a positive result on Wednesday having lost just one of their last eight games on the road in European competition.

Marco Donadel will replace Cristiano Zanetti in Fiorentina's midfielder line with the latter serving a one-match ban.