In the groups stage opener, Lyon meets the German Schalke 04, after a great performance last year, where Lyon advanced to the semi-finals.
Both teams have not met in European club competition before but Lyon have lost their last two home meetings with German opponents, both against FC Bayern München and logically they lost both times.
Now they will meet the fairly easier Schalke who were away from the European stage for the past two years, but after finishing 2nd last year, found a spot in the groups.
Schalke have played just one away game in France, losing 3-1 win against AS Nancy-Lorraine in the 2006/07 UEFA Cup first round. Lyon have been in this stage of the tournament 11 times, and have been able to advance to the knockout stage in the past 7 times.
Last season they managed to get 5 wins and a draw out of the 6 games at home, in the tournament, before the home defeat against Bayern.
Schalke, is making now their 4th appearance in European tournaments, hoping to get at least a victory this campaign. In the previous 3, they were defeated without even scoring a goal: against Valencia CF (0-1 home, 2007/08), PSV Eindhoven (0-1 away, 2005/06) and Panathinaikos FC (0-2 home, 2001/02). In 2001/02 they finished last, and third in 2005/06.
The Betting Verdict?
Lyon to win @ 2.02 (Register at Betfair.com – 25£ Sign up Bonus): Keeping in mind Lyon’s record from last year in the tournament, and the fact that they were doing just as bad as now in the French League, seems like they have focused again on the group stage of the tournament and it will be only logical if they grab their first 3 points here.
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