Lyon braced for PSG test

Lyon coach Remi Garde has outlined the importance of his team’s clash against Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.

Garde’s side have slipped to sixth after a run of three league matches without a win, including losses to Caen and Bordeaux.

Speaking ahead of hosting Carlo Ancelotti’s side at Stade de Gerland on Saturday, Garde said the encounter was vital for his team.

“It is a very important game. For us it is very important because we’re playing the leaders,” he said.

“We’re aiming to do better, better than the very bad games we played recently in the league – against Caen and away against Bordeaux, so it is an important game.”

“Of course the closer we are to the end of the season, the more we can say that this kind of game is ‘dangerous’. I think, yes, it is a decisive game and we will start the game with that in mind.”

Lyon are 12 points adrift of PSG heading into the clash, with Garde conceding the title race was over before his team’s loss to Bordeaux on Sunday.

Garde, who is in his first season in charge of the French giants, said his team needed to improve with a European place still up for grabs.

“I do not think the players are satisfied with the situation. I hope not. I do not think we are in a comfort zone,” he said.

“Of course the current situation is not the one we are looking for. We are not at the level we should or could be, the level that we want to reach, I hope. We are far from what we want to do.”

“After all, I don’t think the players want this situation to remain as it is.”