Lyon fired up as Champions League battle heats up

Fallen French giants Lyon have reignited their hopes of a podium finish and a Champions League spot next season as the battle for Europe heats up in Ligue 1 this week.

Lyon are just two points off third-placed Lille after their 1-0 win at Montpellier on Sunday and will be looking to maintain the momentum after their recent Champions League semi-final exit.

The former seven-time champions host direct rivals Auxerre, sitting second, on Wednesday night, knowing that they have no room for error, before travelling to Valenciennes on Saturday.

“For the year to be a success we have to ensure that after this Champions League semi-final we play this competition again next year,” said Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

“A top six finish and one in the leading trio is not the same thing.”

Lyon have not finished off the podium in 12 years – winning the title seven times between 2002 and 2008 – and were third last season.

They will be playing for a French record 11th consecutive Champions League appearance, a feat midfielder Jeremy Toulalan is convinced they can achieve.

“We’ve managed to mobilise ourselves again. We’re capable of doing it. When it comes to important games like these we’re good,” said Toulalan.

But they could have their work cut out against Auxerre, who are five points ahead of them in the standings, and also targeting a Champions League spot with three games to play.

Auxerre slipped up with a goalless draw at home Friday against table toppers Marseille, and have the luxury of two days more rest than Lyon.

Auxerre coach Jean Fernandez will however have to do without the services of key Romanian international striker Daniel Niculae (thigh) and midfielder Kamel Chafni (thigh).

Didier Deschamps’ Marseille, on course for the title with a five-point lead on Auxerre, host eighth-placed Rennes in Wednesday’s late game, before visiting Lille at the weekend.

Lille, who strengthened their grip on a place in the Champions League qualifiers with a 3-1 win over Nancy on Sunday, travel to Toulouse.

“Between second and sixth anything is possible. What’s important is to win,” said coach Rudi Garcia.

Bordeaux have no chance of defending their title as they sit fifth, but their European hopes are alive after their 1-0 win over Toulouse.

Midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has however been ruled out for the next two games as coach Laurent Blanc insisted he would not put his World Cup participation at risk by rushing the France midfielder back from injury.

Gourcuff has been out of action for the past nine days because of a left hamstring injury, and Blanc said that he would miss Wednesday’s game at Nice and possibly Saturday’s penultimate game against Sochaux.

Elsewhere, recently-crowned French Cup champions Paris Saint Germain, sitting 11th, will be looking to carry that form through to the league, when they host Valenciennes, one place above them.

Beaten Cup finalists Monaco head to Brittany side Lorient.

Wednesday (all times 17:00 GMT unless stated)

AS Nancy v Le Mans

Boulogne v St Etienne

Lens v Grenoble

Lorient v Monaco

Lyon v Auxerre

Nice v Bordeaux

PSG v Valenciennes

Sochaux v Montpellier

Toulouse v Lille

Marseille v Rennes (19:00)