Aulas joins Bordeaux baiting

Posted Tuesday, March 30, 2010 by PA

Outspoken Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has added to the antagonism surrounding their Champions League quarter-final against Bordeaux by poking fun at Les Girondins boss Laurent Blanc.

Tension between the Ligue 1 rivals has increased over the past week following a squabble over the scheduling of Lyon's weekend game against Grenoble.

Les Gones were hoping to play the fixture on Friday night, 24 hours before Bordeaux's Coupe de la Ligue final against Marseille, but were forced to play at the same time as their European opponents after Bordeaux lodged a complaint with the French league.

Bordeaux were concerned Lyon would have a physical advantage by getting more preparation time, leaving Aulas to hint at insecurity within the Girondins camp.

He told Le Parisien newspaper: "I thought Bordeaux were sure of themselves.

"But when I saw them nit-picking and trying to get us to play on Saturday I realised that Laurent Blanc was less sure of himself than I thought."

Bordeaux lost the final to Marseille 3-1 and that, according to Aulas, places even more pressure on the defending Ligue 1 champions.

He added: "Bordeaux is not a team that can afford to lose twice.

"He (Blanc) wanted to win everything and, as he has now lost in both domestic cups, he is seeking a place in the (Champions League) semi-finals and to win Ligue 1 to reassure him."

Aulas also revealed he had turned down the chance to hire Blanc before going for Alain Perrin.

He said: "He had the same agent as Alain Perrin and when I recruited him I was offered the chance to talk to Laurent Blanc.

"But he was just starting out (in management) and it seemed a difficult job for someone with no experience.

"I made a mistake, he had the qualities to join us.

"But after he goes to another club, or becomes the coach of the national team, why not?"

Blanc has yet to respond, preferring to concentrate on bouncing back from Saturday's setback.

He said: "This is an incredible opportunity, it's such an important game.

"We will have to quickly forget the disappointment and focus fully on the Lyon game.

"It's a good thing not to have to wait a week to play again so that we can't dwell on this defeat.

"I expect my players to do better."

He is not expecting any tactical surprises from Lyon, adding: "They are team we know well.

"There will be no surprise at a tactical level. But the match will be so tight that all little details will matter."

Blanc does have a couple of selection headaches to contend with with defender Marc Planus out with a knee injury and midfield powerhouse Alou Diarra suspended.

Ludovic Sane is set to replace Planus while Blanc could switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation in a bid to combat Diarra's absence.

Lyon will rely heavily on young playmaker Miralem Pjanic at the Stade Gerland.

Bosnia-Herzegovina international Pjanic, 19, scored the vital away goal as Lyon edged out Real Madrid in the last 16 but he believes his side go into this clash as underdogs.

He said: "Bordeaux are the leaders of Ligue 1.

"We are more likely to beat Bordeaux than a big European team but Bordeaux will be thinking the same thing.

"This is war."