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Lyon continues busy schedule at PSG

Fri 21st, November 2008

Paris, France (Sports Network) - Lyon manager Claude Puel described the team's schedule as "totally crazy," but emphasized the club has to remained focused on each game.

Lyon visits PSG in France's Ligue 1 on Saturday, its 10th match in five weeks. The seven-time defending French champions then face Fiorentina in Italy in the Champions League on Tuesday.

With the busy club schedule, not to mention international call ups, Lyon asked unsuccessfully for this week's game against PSG to be postponed.

"If it had been accepted, I would gladly have taken it," Puel said at a press conference. "But we just have to deal with it."

Lyon travels to Parc des Princes this weekend with a seven-point lead, but Puel doesn't want to look at the cushion and rest any players he doesn't have to.

Jeremy Toulalan and Fabio Grosso are already doubtful for the PSG match after sustaining injuries on international duty.

Jean II Makoun may be rested after returning to France on Friday after playing for Cameroon in South Africa. Makoun spent three hours on a bus for the match, which Puel called "incredible."

Luckily, leading scorer Karim Benzema should play despite a hamstring strain and defender John Mensah resumed training this week after missing time due to a groin strain and should be available.

Puel knows he might have to piece together a lineup - and he would like to have fresh players - but has to do whatever it takes to get through the busy run.

"I would like to have the players just a little fresher, a little less in- demand [for international duty] and treated with more consideration," said Puel. "I have no idea [who will play]. I'm waiting to have more information before I decide anything."

PSG features a number of former Lyon players, not to mention an ex-Lyon boss. Paul Le Guen coached Lyon to three league championships from 2002-05 and Jeremy Clement, Peguy Luyindula and Ludovic Giuly are former OL players.

In addition to figuring out what he has to do this week, Puel also knows PSG is a tough side to face without a full strength squad.

"At the moment, they are in form, very solid, very realistic, they are a team that can count on players like Giuly who has refound his form, or Hoarau up front, who is very altruistic, who creates a lot of work for defenders and brings a lot to his team," Puel said.

Also Saturday, Bordeaux hosts Rennes, Valenciennes hosts Sochaux, Lorient hosts Toulouse, Grenoble hosts Le Havre, Caen hosts Auxerre and Saint Etienne hosts Nice.

On Sunday, Monaco hosts Le Mans, Nantes hosts Nancy and Marseille hosts Lille.