FC Bayern Munich Vs Olympique Lyonnais: Champions League Semifinal Preview

Lyon have beaten no less than three former Champions League winners en route to the semifinals. Will FC Bayern Munchen be the first former winners to halt Lyon's progress?

Venue : Allianz Arena
Date : 21 April 2010

Lyon and Bayern are looking to make history in two different ways. Lyon are trying to reach their first Champions League final while Bayern are trying to win their first ever treble.

Recent Form

The story never changes with Bayern—they are very stop-start. They are playing quite well at the moment, which is a problem at times: Bayern play their best when their backs are to the wall. They are slight favourites for some in this tie—which is exactly why Bayern could make a complete mess of it. Bayern are at the top of the Bundesliga and with very good reason as the results below will tell you.

Lyon have been very convincing in Europe, but they are trying to hold onto third place in the French league. They brushed aside Liverpool in the group stages, made Florentino Perez look like an absolute fool in the knockout stages, and finally got the better of French rivals Bordeaux in the quarters

Recent Results

Bayern

Bayern 7-0 Hanover

Leverkusen 1-1 Bayern

Man United 3-2 Bayern

Schalke 1-2 Bayern

Bayern 2-1 United.

Lyon

Bordeaux 2-2 Lyon

Lyon 1-1 Lille

Bordeaux 1-0 Lyon

Rennes 1-2 Lyon

Bordeaux 3-1 Lyon



Team News

Bayern: Franck Ribery is doubtful for the game. Both Mark Van Bommel and Holger Badstuber are out for the match through suspension. Miro Klose returns to the squad after missing the weekend game due to illness.

Lyon: François Clerc, Joan Hartock, Mathieu Bodmer, and Jean-Alain Boumsong (calf) are all out of for the match due to injury. Lisandro Lopez was a doubt, but will most probably start. Jean II Makoun is also doubtful for the game.

Previous (Competitive) Results

2008-09 Champions League group stages:

Lyon 2-3 Bayern

Bayern 1-1 Lyon

2003-04 Champions League group stages:

Bayern 1-2 Lyon

Lyon 1-1 Bayern

2000-2001 Champions League second group stages:

Lyon 3-0 Bayern

A Few Quotes

This is what Daniel Van Buyten, Hugo Lloris, and Willy Sagnol had to say:

"We will try to win as many trophies as we can and we want a very strong end to the season," said the defender. "Our motivation is very, very high. [Lyon's] confidence is back. The Champions League is their focus now. We are wary but we are also looking forward to this game. Bayern have won the Champions League several times, but we also are very hungry and want to win this competition."—Daniel Van Buyten

"The previous round showed that [Bayern] are always capable of scoring away from home. If you asked me for a percentage, I would say it's 51 to 49 in favour of Bayern."— Willy Sagnol

"Bayern are a strong team with strong individuals, and little details often make the difference in the Champions League. We have to keep our concentration very high. To work as a unit is very important now—if we keep on working together, everything is possible and we can reach our objectives."—Hugo Lloris

Prediction

Bayern is at the top of their game at the moment. However, Lyon have a resolute defence while Bayern have a weak one. Lyon have made a 750 km road trip to Munich though, which could be a factor for this one. 

Lyon beat Bordeaux in the quarters, an opponent who beat Bayern twice in the group stages. Lyon are definitely a force to be reckoned with. The tie won't be over after the first leg, but Bayern will have a narrow lead going into the second.

Final Score: Bayern 2-1 Lyon