Cissokho confident of Lyon progress

Posted Wednesday, April 07, 2010 by PA

Full-back Aly Cissokho has backed Lyon to complete a "difficult" Champions League quarter-final win over Bordeaux - and claims his side have the quality required to go on and win the competition.

Claude Puel's men go to the Stade Chaban-Delmas with a 3-1 lead from the first leg, and with a semi-final against either Manchester United or Bayern Munich looking a strong possibility.

Cissokho admits his side must keep their composure to ensure a "dream" last-four spot but has already set his sights further ahead.

"It's a difficult test," he told France Football. "I think we have become favourites. We have a two-goal lead but it is never easy to manage these games - but we must do so to qualify."

Should they do so, it would be the first time OL have reached the semi-final stage of Europe's premier club competition and Cissokho continued: "That would be truly a dream and the outcome of several years' work.

"A semi-final would live long in the memory, all the more so as it is a level the club has never reached."

And, asked if they can go all the way, he said: "I think we have a chance. Firstly, we must make sure against Bordeaux. Next, it will be either Manchester or Bayern.

"We have every chance. We have a good team with talented players. We have all the necessary attributes."

Bordeaux go into the game on the back of three successive defeats - in addition to the Stade Gerland setback, they were beaten by the same 3-1 scoreline by Marseille in the final of the Coupe de la Ligue and lost 2-1 to Nancy in Ligue 1.

Cissokho said: "They have suffered a blow in losing three matches - the final, the (first leg) and recent important matches. We are in good form and we can take advantage."

Bordeaux keeper Cedric Carrasso, though, is refusing to become downhearted despite that miserable run of form and insists his side are not yet out of the tie.

"We must stop feeling sorry for ourselves or going over these defeats," he said.

"We must only think of what we may be able to achieve against Lyon. If we play differently, maybe we deserve different results.

"I have enormous confidence in the team. We must stick to our principles, but also be ready to battle.

"We only have to score two goals without conceding and we have done this many times. We can score in the 88th and 90th minutes from two set-pieces, or we can score four goals in a half.

"We just have to rediscover a bit of confidence and calmness and enter the field with the bit between our teeth."

Carrasso will remain in the Girondins goal despite soreness in his thigh and Marc Planus could return after almost a month out with a knee problem, but Gregory Sertic (foot) and Fernando (fractured cheekbone) miss out.

Lyon have forwards Sidney Govou and Lisandro Lopez suspended, while injuries rule out Cleber Anderson, Francois Clerc and Jean Makoun and Dejan Lovren is not eligible for the