Puel: Barca the best side in Europe
Primera Liga leaders Barca have been installed as heavy favourites to see off Les Gones, who are constant under-achievers in Europe’s elite competition.
Puel believes his team have the ability to cause an upset but admits it is a tough ask.
“It’s the most difficult draw we could have faced, given that Barca is the best team in the world at the moment,” Puel said.
“Barca are stronger than us. It’s a pleasure to watch them play – they have everything in their team to produce great football.
“They have some great individual players, but they play with a team spirit and a strong mind-set. It’ll be tough for us but I think we have a chance if we play as a team.”
The teams come into the match having experienced contrasting fortunes in their respective leagues at the weekend.
Barca were beaten 2-1 at home by neighbours Espanyol and saw their lead at the top of the table cut to seven points as a result of second-placed Real Madrid’s 6-1 win over Real Betis.
Lyon, meanwhile, extended their cushion at the summit of Ligue 1 to six points thanks to their 2-0 victory at Nancy. However Barca captain Carles Puyol is confident his team-mates will have forgotten about the Espanyol defeat.
“Losing always hurts, you feel it in the dressing room. But we’re looking forward to the next match,” said the Spain defender.
“We haven’t had good results in the last two games, but we haven’t lost our self-confidence.”
On the match against Lyon, he added: “It’s 50/50. They’re a solid team with some great players.”
Barca will be without France left-back Eric Abidal, who has been ruled out for at least two months with an adductor injury sustained against Espanyol.
Key Lyon players Karim Benzema, Juninho, Ederson and Fabio Grosso started on the bench against Nancy, with the first three coming on as second-half substitutes.
They will all return to the starting line-up, as should winger Kader Keita, who was an unused substitute at the weekend.
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