Gerard Houllier said his side's stellar performance at the Stade Gerland had made him proud to be sitting in the dugout as Lyon manager, and it wasn't hard to see why as Lyon blew Real apart.

"Our play in the first half was sublime," said Houllier. "The side has grown in both experience and maturity, and it will continue to make progress. I was very proud to be Lyon's manager tonight," the former Liverpool boss added.

Such was Lyon's superiority Gregory Coupet was left twiddling his thumbs in goal for much of Wednesday's game.

The long-haired France international said: "The team made me dream against Real. Today Lyon commands respect. With my warriors in front of me I didn't have a lot to do. (Jeremy) Toulalan is getting better and better."

Given this imperious display Lorient, lying seventh, five points off the leaders, look to be in for a torrid time of it when Fred, who came up with the first goal in the 2-0 win over Real, and company slip into town.

Toulalan, the midfielder signed from Nantes for a reported 7.5 million euros as a replacement to Mahamadou Diarra, warned: "I don't know whether the coach is going to make any changes but we're going to Brittany to bring back a win.

"Although this match comes just after the Real game as a player it's better to play than to train. We've just got to refocus and try to recover well."

Houllier will be without his Norwegian striker John Carew, who is out for a fortnight with a thigh problem.

Lyon are lying second on goal difference to Marseille who after their resounding win over bitter rivals Paris Saint Germain last weekend will be hoping their renaissance continues when they host Bordeaux.

Marseille have an identical record as Lyon this campaign with four wins and a draw, with their success at PSG's Parc des Princes gained in no small part by the darting runs and precision passing of France international Franck Ribery.

"We deserved our win against PSG," said Marseille coach Albert Emon. "But going head to head with Lyon? I don't know whether that's possible, but we're certainly keen to do that! If we can trouble them, we won't stop that happening."

PSG have failed to cut much ice in the opening exchanges of the season and travel down to Monaco in search of only their second win from six outings.