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When in the 1999/00 UEFA Cup season "Lyon" beat Bremen's "Werder" with a score of 3-0 at home, no one doubted that the French team would advance to the next stage. However, in the return match, the Germans defeated their opponents 4-0 and remained in the tournament.
Almost an identical scenario unfolded in this season's UEFA Champions League quarterfinals - "Werder" lost the first match 0-3 and today in the return leg will try to repeat what happened 5 years ago.
(First leg 3-0)
Two weeks ago in the first leg match, "Lyon" demonstrated fantastic football, leaving no chances for the German team and taking a big step towards the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. However, today the French will have to defend against the strong attacks of a well-prepared "Werder".
The current coach of the Bundesliga champions, Thomas Schaaf, is ready to field all three main attackers of the team - Miroslav Klose, Nelson Valdez, and the recently recovered Ivan Klasnic.
Klasnic is the top scorer of the team in the UEFA Champions League, having scored 5 goals this season. It is believed that Klasnic could take the place of midfielder Frank Baumann on the field. Baumann did not play in the first match between these teams due to suspension.
The players of "Lyon" feel quite confident after the first leg match, but excessive relaxation could be a factor that may help "Werder" today, especially if the Germans manage to score first. This is emphasized by Valerien Ismael, representing "Werder".
"I know my compatriots very well. If we manage to score first, there is a high chance that they will doubt their abilities, get disoriented, and it will be much easier for us to continue the match," he said.
"Lyon" coach Paul Le Guen, already warned his players after the first match that relaxing and giving initiative to the opponents is very dangerous and unacceptable, is ready to play with a defensive tactic today.
The only true forward among "Lyon" today will be Sylvain Wiltord. The other forwards of the team will have to play slightly more withdrawn - Sidney Govou should play a bit deeper, while Pierre-Alain Frau will have to give way to midfielder Jeremy Clement in the starting lineup.
In these matches, "Lyon" will still not be able to count on injured defenders Anthony Reveillere and Claudio Cacapa, so the main defensive work will again fall on Michael Essien and Cris.
Possible starting lineups for the teams:
"Werder" (4-3-3): Reinke; Stalteri, Ismaël, Pasanen, Schulz; Borowski, Micoud, F. Ernst; Klose, Klasnic, Valdez.
"Lyon" (3-5-2): Coupet; Diatta, Essien, Cris, Abidal; Juninho Pernambucano, M. Diarra, Clement; Govou, Malouda; Wiltord.
