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Lyon boss Gérard Houllier admits his team will be looking for revenge for last season’s Champions’ League exit when they take on PSV Eindhoven in February.
Houllier was not in charge when the champions suffered a penalty shootout loss at the hands of PSV at the quarter-final stage last term.
But after Friday’s draw for the round of 16 pitted Lyon with PSV once again, the experienced trainer claimed that memories of that night in the Netherlands last April will provide his players with extra motivation.
“You never know if it is a good draw or not when the balls come out,” said Houllier.
“But the club is so determined to show something against PSV. They are so hungry for revenge with regards to this feeling of injustice that still hasn’t been evacuated since last season.
“This could give them an extra motivation. Lyon have made progress this season and we want to show that on the European scene,” he added.
Despite winning their group, Lyon could have landed Chelsea or Bayern Munich, and Houllier acknowledged that the draw could have been worse.
“I agree with Juninho when he says that it would be best to avoid Werder Bremen. They would have been incredibly determined after the two heavy defeats last season,” Houllier pointed out.
“But I consider PSV the most dangerous of our potential opponents behind Bayern and Chelsea.”
Meanwhile, Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas was also pleased, saying: “It’s a satisfactory draw. There is the chance to take a small revenge for last year.”
Lyon travel to the Phillips Stadion for the first leg, entertaining the Dutch champions at the Stade Gerland in early March.
PSV have lost several star names since last season, with Mark van Bommel, Park Ji-Sung and Johan Vogel all upping sticks. However, they held onto their trainer Guus Hiddink, and he appears to be molding another excellent team.
They are presently third in the Dutch top flight, level on points with top two AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.
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