Reims vs Lyon preview - Grenier wary of Reims threat - 7M sport

Reims vs Lyon preview - Grenier wary of Reims threat



Posted Saturday, April 25, 2015 by PA

Midfielder Clement Grenier insists Lyon will have to be on top form against strugglers Reims on Sunday if they are to remain on course to win their first Ligue 1 title since 2008.

Lyon, who drew 2-2 at home against St Etienne last Sunday, are top of Ligue 1 on goal difference ahead of Paris St Germain with five games remaining and looking to record their third victory in four games.

Reims won at Bastia last Saturday to halt a four-game losing run and move up to 14th but are only three points clear of the relegation zone.

Playmaker Grenier, who has only recently returned to action after recovering from a long-standing groin injury, has warned his team-mates to take nothing for granted at the Stade Auguste-Delaune.

"We've got five matches left to play and if we want to keep the pressure up on PSG right to the end of the season then we need to pick up as many points as possible," he told ligue1.com

"When we talk among ourselves we're not looking further down the table. That's not our mentality. It's a habit of ours to fix tough objectives.

"The fixture list? It's almost harder to play against clubs who are battling to save their skin. It will be difficult at Reims as they've just changed their coach and they'll be up for it. They will fight for everything."

Olivier Guegan replaced the sacked Jean-Luc Vasseur as Reims boss earlier this month and, after starting with a 1-0 defeat at home to Nice a fortnight ago, claimed a crucial first win of his tenure at relegation rivals Bastia last Saturday.

Reims midfielder Antoine Devaux hailed his team's display against Ghislain Printant's men last weekend and called for more of the same at home against the league leaders.

He said: "Very few people would have bet on us beating Bastia, it was a mini-exploit. We put in a quality performance. We've now got back to work to keep moving in the same direction.

"Lyon were really impressive at 10 v 11 when they played St Etienne last weekend. The result has not been decided in advance.

"We caused them problems when we played them earlier in the season and we're capable of upsetting the odds in the return fixture."

Lyon boss Hubert Fournier will have to make do without defender Lindsay Rose after he was sent off against St Etienne, while midfielder Yoann Gourcuff (hamstring) and defender Milan Bisevac (knee) are also unavailable.

Guegan has a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from with left-back Franck Signorino (groin) Bastia's only injury doubt.



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