UEFA Champs League Preview (qtrs. Leg 2): Psv V Lyon
Future wide open
AFP, Eindhoven
Three-time French champions Lyon rate Wednesday's date away to PSV Eindhoven as one of the biggest games in the club's history with a first ever appearance in the Champions League semi-finals at stake. PSV hold the edge after Phillip Cocu's late equaliser gave the Dutch giants a crucial away goal in last week's 1-1 quarter-final, first leg at the Gerland stadium. Lyon, who boast the best scoring record of any of the sides left in the competition, will turn up at the Philips Stadium not short on motivation. "It gives us a chance to make history for the club," said Brazilian Juninho. "We have to be strong to get Lyon through to the semi-finals for the first time. It's been some time now that we've been trying to accomplish that. "We have to seize this magnificent opportunity," added the attacking midfielder who with left back Eric Abidal sat out Saturday's 2-2 draw with Nantes, a result which all but wrapped up Lyon's fourth straight title. Lyon, knocked out at this stage in the competition last season by eventual winners FC Porto, have no injury concerns to worry about. "It's rare to get players coming to see me just before a Champions League game," said team doctor Jean-Jacques Amprino. PSV, who were buoyed by their 3-0 victory over FC Den Bosch on Saturday, can also boast a fully-fit squad with Korean striker Park Ji-Sung, midfielder Johan Vogel and Dutch defender Dennis Ooijer all rested at the weekend by coach Guus Hiddink ahead of Wednesday's game. Park is a vital cog in the PSV machine, Hiddink remarking: "With Park, you can add a lot of movement in the game. He can play in several positions and he is very smart. He is doing well this season." The PSV boss, taking a leaf out of the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' school of thought, confirmed he was preparing to field the same group of players that made the trip to France, saying: "This team gave satisfaction." PSV are hoping to put one over their second big French club after knocking out last year's Champions League finalists Monaco in the previous round.
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