After seeing six internationals leave the Stade Gerland in the summer of 2004, many were predicting a testing season for Lyon.

While Eric Carrière, Vikash Dhorasoo and Peguy Luyindula were among those to depart, it was in defence where they were hit hardest. Eric Deflandre, Edmílson, and Patrick Müller – three pillars in years gone by – all left the club.

Eric Abidal joined from Lille but perhaps the most significant arrival was that of the Brazilian centre-back Cris, who joined for a knockdown £2.3m from Cruzeiro. Not only has the bald-headed stopper successfully stepped into the boots of his international teammate Edmílson, he has added a physical toughness that was lacking in past seasons.

“He might not be technically as strong as Edmi but he’s a real fighter,” said Cris’ number one fan, club captain Claudio Caçapa. “It has been easy to strike up an understanding in defence,” continued Caçapa, another of Lyon’s Brazilians. “I always know what he is going to do because he never hesitates. If there’s the chance of making a tackle he jumps straight in.”

In the air and on the ground, Cris’ timing is invariably immaculate and there is no doubt that his physical approach instils a certain fear in opposition forwards.