Lyon must take more risks to beat Bayern
Lyon must take more risks to beat Bayern
The team must completely change its attitude, says Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez.

Lyon, France: Lyon needs to play higher-risk football against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals to improve its chances of reaching the European Cup final for the first time, according to striker Lisandro Lopez.

"The team must completely change its attitude," Lopez said. "We must have a more positive approach."

Both teams will be weakened by injuries and suspensions, with Lyon missing Jeremy Toulalan and Bayern without Franck Ribery after both were sent off in the first leg. Bayern central defenders Martin Demichelis and Daniel van Buyten face a race to prove their fitness, while Lyon has doubts over central defender Cris and winger Michel Bastos.

Although Lyon coach Claude Puel is known for his cautious, methodical approach, even he thought Lyon was overly cautious in the first leg.

"We played with the handbrake on. But we still have our chances for the return leg, even though it would have been good to score away from home," Puel said. "We went to (Real) Madrid and qualified and now we will go and do it at Stade Gerland. I prefer this kind of scenario, because you play your best football when you need to get a result.

"Without being overly optimistic, I think we have every chance to qualify simply by playing to our ability."

Lyon has waited years for a chance of continental success, having never previously been past the quarterfinal stage of the competition.

Club president Jean-Michel Aulas said the German team's jubilant celebrations after the first leg will spur his players on, and that his team has nothing to fear after eliminating Madrid in the first knockout round.

"I heard the cries of victory from the Bayern players loud and clear when they got back into their dressing room," Aulas said. "They are sure of winning, sure of qualifying, that's great ... (but) I know something will happen."

Lyon could face big problems in the center of defense, with Toulalan suspended after collecting two yellow cards — Toulalan had been switched from center midfield to operate alongside Cris as a central defender.

Cris is struggling to recover from an injury sustained in the first leg when his knee locked. He has not trained since, and is being rested as Lyon hopes he can recover.

Puel received better news with defenders Dejan Lovren and Jean-Alain Boumsong back in training on Saturday. Boumsong has not played in three weeks since straining a calf muscle.

"He trained normally (Saturday morning), without any ill effects," Puel said. "He will be in the squad."

Bastos quit Friday's training session clutching the back of his right thigh.

Although Lyon's defense does not have Ribery to worry about, the scintillating form of Arjen Robben could give them nightmares.

The Netherlands winger has scored 20 goals in 31 games for Bayern this season, and 16 in 18 matches since the turn of the year. He scored Bayern's winner in the first leg, and scored the goal that knocked out Manchester United in the quarterfinals.

Van Buyten and Demichelis took knocks to the calf in the 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach and were substituted during that match.

"Both players getting injured today is a drama," Bayern coach Louis van Gaal said. "I hope at least one of them recovers fitness before Tuesday."

Van Buyten is not so optimistic.

"I could hardly walk after taking the knock on the calf, and it's worse now," he said. "We'll have it looked at, but I'm a bit concerned it might not be better in time."

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