Juventus hold Lyon tonight, as the Italian side look to ensure qualification for the Europa League semi-finals with a win in Turin tonight, after a 1-0 victory in France last week thanks to a late Bonucci goal put them in the driving seat. Juventus are thought to be the favourites to win the competition looking at who still remains in at this stage, but despite those odds, Lyon are likely to make that trip to Italy wanting to upset their hosts and put treble dreams for Antonio Conte to bed.
This season has been far from one of the best in Lyon’s history. They currently sit fifth in the French top flight, 28 points off of runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Les Parisiens are the opponents for Rémi Garde in the Coupe de la Ligue final on the 19th April, whilst PSG also visit Lyon on Sunday in the league, as the visitors edge closer to their second consecutive title – if they better Monaco’s result, the title is theirs. Lyon will want to go into that tough with some momentum: a win tonight at the Juventus Stadium.
Both sides come into this game on the back of wins in their respective leagues. Juventus overcame Livorno in Turin on Monday, as a result of two Fernando Llorente goals. With 6 games to go, Juve are eight points clear and looking ever more likely to retain their title. Lyon also triumphed away to Valenciennes, thanks to goals from Bafetimbi Gomis and Jordan Ferri, giving OL a 2-1 win. It leaves them 4 points behind ASSE, with six to play.
Simone Pepe is out for Juventus tonight, and is likely to miss the rest of the season too with the thigh injury that has kept him out since February. Meanwhile, Andrea Barzaghli (calf) has lost the race to be fit, but should return within a matter of days. For Lyon, Gueïda Fofana (groin) is out, but should be back within the week, whilst Miguel Lopes (tibia fracture) is likely to be out for three months or more.
In Turin tonight, many will be expectant of the soon-to-be Italian champions. They were disappointing in the Champions League, exiting the group stages despite also being in a group that contained Galatasaray and Copenhagen. However, Antonio Conte’s side can restore some European glory to their trophy room if they triumph in the Europa League this season. However, Rémi Garde will be out to trash those ambitions as he looks to take his team into the semi-finals and maybe even onto further glories for his Olympique Lyonnais team.