Post by Taxigirl on Dec 10, 2003 10:01:51 GMT
Champions League | Group A | Wednesday 10 December | Kick-off 1945 GMT
Celtic are without three key players as they prepare for the vital Champions League clash at the Stade Gerland.
Martin O'Neill's side need to avoid defeat in France to qualify for the last 16 of the competition but must do without the suspended Alan Thompson and injured duo Didier Agathe and Jackie McNamara.
Bobo Balde declared himself fit on Monday and should line up in defence with Stanislav Varga and either Johan Mjallby or Joos Valgaeren.
The loss of right-sided players Agathe and McNamara means it is unlikely that O'Neill will opt for a 4-4-2 formation as he has done in previous European matches.
Michael Gray is in line to replace Thompson on the left flank, while Stilian Petrov may be asked to play wide on the right of a five-man midfield.
If O'Neill decides to partner top scorer Henrik Larsson with John Hartson, Chris Sutton will drop into an advanced central midfield role with Neil Lennon and Liam Miller playing deeper.
If Sutton plays up front and Hartson is left out, Mohammed Sylla could be deployed on the right, with Petrov moving inside.
Scotland goalkeeper Rab Douglas has a groin strain, so youngster David Marshall provides cover for Magnus Hedman.
Celtic have lost all five of their previous away matches in the Champions League.
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Celtic (from): Hedman, Varga, Balde, Mjallby, Gray, Miller, Petrov, Lennon, Larsson, Sutton, Marshall, Hartson, Maloney, Wallace, Kennedy, Sylla, Beattie, Laursen, Valgaeren.
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Match significance
Lyon must win this match to reach the second round. If they do, they will also finish top in Group A.
Celtic need a draw to qualify for the second round. Their position in the group will then be decided by the result in the other match. However, if Celtic win in France, they are guaranteed to win Group A.
Head-to-Head
Lyon and Celtic have now met three times in European history. Lyon have won twice, Celtic once.
Their previous encounter in France in October 1999 was won by Lyon (2-1).
Lyon have never played any other team from Scotland
Celtic have played five European matches on French soil. Their sole victory in France dates back to November 1966 when Celtic beat FC Nantes 3-1.
European history
Lyon have never won a European competition.
Celtic have won the Champions Cup once, in 1967. They were the first British team to win the trophy.
Last season, Celtic lost to FC Porto in the Uefa Cup final.
Lyon are experiencing their fourth participation in the Champions League. Their best result was a third place in the second phase group in 2000/2001.
Celtic are participating in the Champions League for the second time. In 2001/2002, they finished third in the first group phase.
Player and disciplinary info
Alan Thompson (Celtic) is suspended
Anthony Reveillère (Lyon) and Chris Sutton (Celtic) will be suspended if they receive a yellow card
Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton are the two players in the Celtic squad with the most Champions League goals to their credit. Both have scored four Champions League career goals.
Other miscellaneous facts
Celtic have not won in their last four visits in France.
So far, Celtic have lost all of the five away matches they have played in Champions League history.
Before their win in the French League last weekend over FC Metz (2-1), Lyon had lost two consecutive competitive matches for the first time this season. After their 1-0 loss at Anderlecht, Lyon lost 3-1 at Rennes in the French League.
Lyon are second in the French League and trail leaders AS Monaco by six points.
Celtic are on top of the Scottish Premier League, with a five point lead over city rivals Rangers.
The only defeats Celtic have suffered this season in all of their competitive matches have been the two away losses in the Champions League against Bayern Munich and Anderlecht.
Lyon can post their 50th European victory.
Celtic are four goals away from conceding their 100th goal in the Champions Cup/Champions League.
PLENTY ;D