Besiktas JK vs Lyonnais - Genesio urges Lyon players to go for goals

Posted Thursday, April 20, 2017 by PA

Lyon head coach Bruno Genesio has told his players they must score against Besiktas on Thursday and not rely on the slender lead they hold after the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Last Thursday saw the French giants earn a 2-1 win over their Turkish opponents, thanks to two late goals in a match that was held up by crowd disturbances.

There has been more supporter trouble for Lyon to experience since that night, with their Ligue 1 match at Bastia abandoned on Sunday when home fans entered the pitch to confront visiting players.

Genesio said: "To go through isn't going to be just about concentration and mental strength but also technical and tactical aspects.

"I won't hide from you that given what we've learned recently, we've put a lot of importance on the mental preparation.

"There's no feeling of fear but the desire to put in a great match and a big performance on Thursday night.

"On Monday morning, I told the players that I was proud to see their togetherness at Bastia and that the events should bring us together more before this match which is one of the most important of our season. It's in difficult times that you see the men and we build victories of the future."

Genesio added on Lyon's website: "We know that we'll have to score to qualify. We know the strengths and weaknesses of our team, and we will therefore be moved by the desire to go and get our place in the semi-finals."

Besiktas will feel the absence of suspended striker Vincent Aboubakar but have an able deputy in Cenk Tosun.

Besiktas will also be without suspended defender Marcelo after his yellow card in the first leg while winger Ricardo Quaresma is an injury concern as the Turkish side look to reach the Europa League semi-finals for the first time.

Lyon have defensive problems of their own with centre-back Emanuel Mammana out injured and full-back Rafael suspended, while forward Memphis Depay is cup-tied.

Meanwhile, both clubs have been handed suspended bans from European competition following the crowd disturbances which marred the first leg last week.

Tension between rival supporters in the French city spilled into the stadium, with a barrage of projectiles from the upper tiers forcing fans on to the pitch and casting the viability of the fixture into doubt.

The trouble eventually abated and the teams were able to start the game 45 minutes later than planned.