Garde calls for Lyon improvement

Lyon manager Remi Garde has urged his players to rediscover some form ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with APOEL Nicosia.

The French outfit were handed what many believed to be the most favourable round-of-16 tie, but Garde warned his men against complacency, especially given their recent run of form in Ligue 1.

The club is reeling after Saturday’s dismal home defeat to Caen which left them 11 points adrift of leaders PSG.

While the Champions League has provided a welcome distraction for Garde, the French manager is mindful of the need for improvement if his side are to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“It’s the same answer since the beginning of the season, the same for every game: we need to find the right motivation to be able to surpass ourselves,” Garde said.

“And the objective is also to take pleasure during the game because to be able to surpass yourself you need to enjoy what you are doing. That’s what we have been trying to do as a team.”

“In the Champions League you always need to raise your level well above what’s required for domestic competitions, whoever you are facing, and especially against this opponent. We will need to play better than we have recently.”

APOEL surprised many to top Group G ahead of Zenit St. Petersburg, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk and although they will once again go in as underdogs, Garde highlighted the Cypriot side’s experience as crucial to their success.

“Lyon certainly has more experience than APOEL Nicosia in the European Cups in general, but I’m not sure that my players are more experienced than their opponents.”

“I have a lot more young players than they do. What you are saying, it’s like what I heard it right after the draw.”

“People make comments regarding the past, players and budget of every club, a lot of things which won’t matter at kick-off. It is still 11 against 11. There will be plenty of comments after the game. Right now, I only focus on the game.”