Gustavo Poyet spoke to Esports COPA about the Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Lyon. The two sides played out a goalless draw in the first leg and whilst Poyet admits Barça are favourites, he warns against the Spanish side taking Lyon lightly in the return fixture.
Last summer Poyet was sacked by Bordeaux so knows Lyon well. "My opinion is influenced by what I saw from Lyon in the match in England (vs Manchester City). They were really strong on the counterattack and were clinical in front of goal. They will embrace the fact they aren't the favourites, so don't need to hold onto the ball. That's what happened against City, who dominated both matches."
The Uruguayan coach also came out in support of his fellow countryman Luis Suarez, who is going through a tough spell in front of goal. When asked if Barça needed to replace him, this is what Poyet said: "Not at all. The more you criticise Luis, the more dangerous he becomes. Due to his physicality, he has to play. He isn't someone who does well when he's in and out of the team. The occasions are there because he keeps doing the right things. It's a question of streaks and I'm sure, like what happened at the start of the season, once he scores one or two he'll go on to score a lot more. It's just a question of time for a goalscorer."
Poyet also had kind words for someone he worked with during his time at Bordeaux: Malcom. "He's spectacular. I know him well. He was the best player in the team. That helps because he's one of those players that, when he feels important, can make the difference." The coach believes the biggest problem facing Malcolm is what position suits him the most. "He could play on the right of a 4-3-3 but with Messi it's complicated. When he's good and is given minutes, he has a lot of quality. But it isn't the same as being the star player in a team to having a different role. That requires a period of adaptation."