Lyon turn to domestic matters after European exertions

After an enterprising performance in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Barcelona, French champions Lyon return to league action on Sunday buoyed by a six-point lead at the Ligue 1 summit.

Claude Puel’s men struggled for form around the turn of the year, with their advantage in the league being cut to one point at one stage, but Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at home to the Spanish league leaders represented their 11th consecutive game without defeat in all competitions.

Seventh-placed Rennes vist Lyon’s Stade Gerland home on Sunday and the seven-time champions will be forced to make full use of their squad with four games to play in just 10 days.

“There are some players who will definitely need a rest,” Puel said.

“Others need to maintain a rhythm because they have more endurance. It depends on the type of player.”

One man definitely missing from Lyon’s squad on Sunday will be Brazilian striker Fred, whose contract was terminated on Thursday after weeks of speculation that he was on the verge of leaving the club.

Lyon’s improving form has coincided with indifferent results for their main title rivals.

Third-placed Marseille were held to a goalless draw at home to Le Mans last weekend, while Bordeaux have slipped to fifth thanks to three draws and a defeat in their last four matches.

But Marseille coach Eric Gerets, whose side travel to Caen on Sunday, has refused to concede defeat in the title race.

“It will not help to cry over this,” Gerets said after the Le Mans match. “We missed an opportunity, but it is not over.

“We are not dead yet. There was a time we were able to make forays into any defence. It has been a bit more difficult lately but it will come back.”

Fatigue is likely to be a real concern for Marseille after they were taken to extra time on a gluepot of a pitch at Dutch side FC Twente in the UEFA Cup on Thursday before eventually winning their round of 32 tie 7-6 on penalties.

Bordeaux host ninth-placed Lorient on Sunday, while Paris St-Germain, who have risen to second on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, welcome Nancy to the French capital.

Bordeaux, PSG and third-bottom St Etienne also played in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, on what was a bittersweet night for the French sides.

PSG made sure of their place in the next round with a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate victory over Wolfsburg, while St Etienne beat Greek champions Olympiakos 2-1 to seal an impressive 5-2 aggregate victory.

But Bordeaux were dumped out of the competition by a last-minute goal in an agonising 4-3 defeat at Galatasaray, after they had led for the last 15 minutes, on the away goals rule.

Saturday (1800GMT unless stated):

Le Mans v Le Havre

Nantes v Grenoble

Sochaux v Nice

Valenciennes v Lille

Auxerre v Toulouse (2000GMT)

Sunday (1600GMT unless stated):

Bordeaux v Lorient

Caen v Marseille

Monaco v St Etienne

PSG v Nancy

Lyon v Rennes (2000GMT)