Lyon chief cracks the whip as PSG beckon

If Lyon’s players had any smiles after their qualification for the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, they were quickly erased by a furious post-match diatribe from club president Jean-Michel Aulas.

In the next chapter of a season in which Lyon have proved remarkably inconsistent, the seven-time French champions host Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday knowing that their every move will be scrutinised.

But Aulas’s ire, once firmly aimed at under-fire coach Claude Puel, is now focused on the players themselves.

Lyon’s 3-0 humbling at Schalke on Wednesday failed to prevent their progress to the Champions League last 16, but an unhappy Aulas has warned that heads could roll, and contracts cancelled, if the team do not improve.

“It’s more a problem of players than one involving the coach or the management,” he fumed.

“Things have to change, or we won’t achieve any of our targets this season.

“The match on Sunday against Paris takes on special importance. If we don’t wipe away the stain of our defeat to Schalke against PSG, then we can take it that the challenges we’ve set ourselves just won’t be reachable.”

Regarding the French league title, Lyon appear to have little cause for concern, for now.

It has been one of the most unpredictable title races in years, with only 10 points separating league leaders Lille (24) from 17th-placed Monaco (14).

Lille travel to 2009 champions Bordeaux on Saturday leading second-placed Montpellier thanks to goal difference, with PSG one point off the pace on 23, the same as fourth-placed Rennes.

Lille last week became the sixth French league leader inside 14 games but face a Bordeaux side who are only two points off the pace in seventh and looking for their third league win on the trot.

Brazilian defender Emerson told Lille’s website, www.losc.fr: “We need to have a really solid match against Bordeaux if we’re to keep the lead.

“We know how difficult it is to stay on top, but we have to maintain the same kind of approach, keep digging deep and above all never give up.”

Bordeaux welcome back captain and defensive midfielder Alou Diarra, who was sidelined by suspension for a month after shoving the referee in the 1-0 away win against Auxerre.

While admitting the “error” of his ways, Diarra is happy to return to a league that he says is still wide open.

“It’s strange. We’ve been beaten twice at home and we haven’t picked up so many points and we’re still only two points behind the league leaders,” said the France international. “A lot of teams are still in contention.”

Defending champions Marseille are only two points off the pace in fifth but, like Rennes, have a game in hand.

Didier Deschamps’ side host Montpellier on Saturday hoping to have recovered from the effort of travelling to chilly Moscow, where they beat Spartak 3-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

But earning a rare invite to Europe’s top table after Christmas has given the World Cup winner a reason to believe in his team’s domestic, and European, potential.

“It will be far more pleasant managing a team that has this to look forward to,” said Deschamps.

“In France it can be hard instilling a winning culture in teams, but I have players with great qualities and this will toughen them up. We’ve got good days ahead.”

Fixtures

Saturday (1800GMT unless otherwise stated):

Brest v Lens, Lorient v Rennes, Marseille v Montpellier, Monaco v Nice, Nancy v Saint-Etienne, Valenciennes v Arles-Avignon, Bordeaux v Lille (2000GMT)

Sunday (1600GMT unless otherwise stated):

Auxerre v Toulouse, Caen v Sochaux, Lyon v Paris Saint-Germain (2000GMT)