Houllier: revenge is not on Lyon minds

LYON manager Gerard Houllier has dismissed notions of revenge ahead of tonight’s Champions League round of 16 clash against PSV Eindhoven, the side that eliminated the French champions from last year’s competition.

Lyon were favourites to beat the Dutch outfit in the quarter-finals a year ago having thrashed Werder Bremen 10-2 on aggregate in the previous round, as well as topping a group containing Manchester United before that.

But after 1-1 draws at home and away, Lyon were eliminated in a penalty shoot-out. "We have to dismiss this notion (of revenge) because we are never at our best in a situation based on revenge," said Houllier.

"You don't make the best use of your talent that way. First and foremost it is an opportunity to confirm the progress we have made in terms of experience and in our mentality. If we have to go to penalties, you can be sure that this year, we will win."

Such has been the progress made by the French team over the last few years they're on course to claim their fifth Ligue 1 title in-a-row Houllier can justifiably entertain ambitions of winning the tournament.

"I have not set any specific goals but simply set a team goal which is to win a fifth title, to win the French Cup and to advance as far as possible in the Champions League and to hopefully win it too.

"It's the challenge for everyone and I am as confident as a Formula One driver who has total confidence in the car under him."

Even so, the former Liverpool boss feels there is room for improvement in his squad. "We have to lift the overall level of our performances," he added. "We have to develop the players individually and collectively in terms of condition, tactics and in their level of concentration.

"There needs to be enormous self-control and emotional control but also intelligence. For sure, in the Champions League we need more intelligent players."