Lyonnais vs Gent - Lyon on the brink ahead of must-win clash with Gent

Posted Monday, November 23, 2015 by PA

Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes knows his side need to fight to save their Champions League hopes in Tuesday's must-win home clash against Gent.

Les Gones have endured a terrible European campaign so far and go into the game against the Belgian champions on the back of Friday's lacklustre 3-0 defeat away at Nice in Ligue 1.

Lyon have lost both of their home fixtures in Group H so far without scoring a goal, with their only point coming in the reverse fixture against Gent on matchday one.

Hubert Fournier's side can still qualify for the knockout stages but they know victory at the Stade de Gerland, which will host European football for the final time ahead of the move to the Stade des Lumieres next year, is imperative.

Even if they win, out-of-sorts Lyon - who will be missing Maxime Gonalons through suspension - could still be eliminated if Valencia beat Zenit in Russia.

But Portugal international Lopes insists they must cut out the mistakes made against Nice last time out to stand any chance.

"We lacked aggression," he told Lyon's official website. "It's infuriating and we'll have to rectify it on Tuesday.

"To concede three goals is difficult before an important game. There is hope that it was just an accident. It's important not to repeat the same game."

The match in south-east France comes just 11 days after the terrorist attacks in Paris left 130 people dead, and on the back of heightened security in Belgium.

Gent supporters have been banned from attending the match by local police as a precaution but Hein Vanhaezebrouck's side are also desperate for the points.

Gent, playing in their first Champions League campaign, are just two points adrift of second-placed Valencia but they will be without Thomas Matton (foot), Hannes Van Der Bruggen (stomach) and Nicklas Pedersen (ankle).

Midfielder Brecht Dejaegere, who missed the previous two away trips against Zenit and Valencia through suspension, is in line to start, though, and is looking to make up for lost time.

"I will use the memory of missing those two trips," he told the club's official website. "Those were difficult times for me.

"I was just there to support my teammates, but now I can be with the team on the pitch. That gives me a good feeling."