Lyon will not put a plan in place to stop Lionel Messi this week as their coach Bruno Genesio believes it is a simply impossible task.
The Argentine and his teammates face the Ligue 1 side in Champions League action this week and although he doesn't have a strategy for stopping Messi, he does have one for eliminating the Blaugrana.
Genesio sat down with MARCA to discuss the task ahead of his side.
Q: What kind of Lyon will we see against Barcelona?
The Lyon we are used to seeing. A Lyon that will play the football we have seen in the Champions League until now. I think it will be a game similar to that against Manchester City, with the difference being that it will be a direct elimination tie and that the great teams raise their level in these types of matches. We will have to be well prepared, at 100 percent or more, play our football and have a bit of luck because we will need it, especially in the first leg.
Q: If it had been an elimination tie, you would have knocked City out. Do you trust the team to repeat the feat against Barcelona?
It is hard to say. In the two games against City, we deserved the four points from six on offer that we got. That will have to be repeated against Barcelona."
Q: In those two games, the media highlighted your 4-4-1-1 system as you attacked down the wings. Do you plan to repeat that formula?
We'll see. Above all, the most important thing for us is to stay true to our principles and believe in what we want to do. We know that we risk of not having possession like Barcelona, but we already saw against City that we can compete in that aspect as we were almost even. If we are content defending or try to stop Leo Messi, then we won't have any chance.
Q: What is the key to defeating Barcelona?
You have to be at 150 percent. You have to have a bit of luck in these types of games; we know that this is the case in these games of such a high level. Also, I think we have to be able to put them out of their stride and not let them develop a rhythm. How easy it is to say it, though! It is much more difficult to do it on the pitch. We will prepare ourselves accordingly to make Barcelona feel as uncomfortable as possible.
Q: Do you think Barcelona are favourites against Lyon?
Yes, by a lot.
Q: Is the triumph of Roma last season against Barcelona an example for you?
Yes, it shows that it is possible. It also shows what needs to be done. In the second leg, Roma pressed a lot and unbalanced them. I think Barcelona thought they were already through. As for us, I think this game will help Barcelona more because they will not make the same mistake twice.
Q: Do you have a plan to stop Messi?
It is impossible to stop Messi. Messi can play whatever the strategy is because he is a footballing genius. The plan is to collectively organise and try to reduce his influence. But we know that if he has a great day, then he will be unstoppable. So yes, the plan will be to have excellent organisation as a unit, as we did against City, to try and reduce their space. Messi has such an influence on the game that if he isn't as good, we can think that Barcelona won't be as strong but having a plan to stop Messi is very difficult.
Q: You will be reunited with Samuel Umtiti for the first time.
We are all proud because he is happy with his evolution. We knew his potential and knew he could reach a very high level and he is demonstrating that with one of the biggest clubs in the world, where he has won a place as a starter and recognition from the Barcelona public.
Q: Do the players really want to play against Messi?
We will have to fight against precisely that, especially in the return leg at the Camp Nou. We must fight against the excitement of playing against Messi, at the Camp Nou, in an extraordinary environment. Not being spectators in the game is important and is a bit of a risk for a young team like ours, with little experience in games like this as they may feel a little overawed by the stadium, the atmosphere, Messi, the opposing players, and that is the danger that lurks which we must fight against.
Q: Umtiti, Mariano, Diakhaby, Lacazette, Tolisso, Mammana, N'Jie... are you worried that Lyon can't keep their great players and always seem like a team under construction?
It isn't a worry. Nowadays, the great players who have come through at our club, or who we develop, want to go to clubs bigger than Lyon and that is frustrating but at the same time, it is very rewarding and encouraging for the club to train these players and help them progress to a higher level.
Q: Do you think that Nabil Fekir has the quality to succeed in LaLiga Santander?
Yes. I think he has the quality, technique and intelligence for it. In the Spanish league, there is a lot of emphasis on the game and I think that Nabil has all the qualities to play for a great Spanish team.
Q: What is the secret to Memphis Depay's resurgence?
There are many. At first, when he arrived, a year had passed without him playing so it was difficult. Then there was his relocation to a position that is more than a centre forward, more than a number 10. Also, he has confidence from the good performances and the progressive adaptation he had with the club. That is what helped him settle in and has allowed him to become decisive.
Q: Dembele, Umtiti, Lenglet. Do you think that Adrien Rabiot will be able to adapt to Barcelona like them?
Yes, definitely because he is similar. The technical quality, the intelligence he has for the game... it will allow him to adapt to football in Spain.
Q: What is more difficult: eliminating Barcelona in the Champions League or winning Ligue 1 ahead of PSG?
Ah, both are difficult. That's a hard question. I think it is more difficult to finish first in the league because there are 38 games and whether it is PSG, Barcelona, Manchester City or Bayern, they are very difficult to beat regularly and finish above them in the table. Two games are also difficult to beat Barcelona in, but there may be more possibilities for that.
Q: Your contract ends in June. Do you think your future depends on the outcome of these two games?
No, I don't think so. For me, it doesn't depend on a direct clash with Barcelona. It is true that as coaches, we all depend on the same thing: results. For me, the first achievement was qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League and the second is to ensure that we qualify for the competition again next season.