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Genesio expects Roma to put Lyon under pressure

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Lyon coach Bruno Genesio believes his side will have to weather a surge of Roma attacks if they are to hold on to their 4-2 first leg advantage on Thursday night

Les Gones enter the game at the Stadio Olimpico with a two-goal cushion over the Giallorossi, but Genesio is not taking qualification for the quarter-finals of the Europa League for granted.

"I didn't expect to come into the return leg with this lead, but everything is relative," Genesio said. "We expected a really tough encounter and now we're two goals up on aggregate, but there are still 90 minutes to go.

"We have made progress and we're continuing to do so. European competitions help you to mature. Roma are one of the favourites, but we want to go forward and carry on developing."

Looking at the two-goal lead, will you play more in defence or attack?

"It's essential that we're balanced. We have to defend well because Roma will put pressure on us, but we also have to do well in the transitions and play our style of football. It's all a question of balance.

"We cannot forget that Roma are second in the Italian league and have a lot of experience in Europe. We're in the lead, but we have to stay humble at the same time. We're ready and full of confidence, but we need to stay concentrated in order to tackle the difficulties we'll come across tomorrow."

What approach are you expecting from Roma?

"They'll attack us and put us under pressure. We need to be ready to react and cause harm in attack."

What do you think is the percentage likelihood of Lyon qualifying?

"I read in the paper that we've got a 67% possibility of getting through the round, but statistics count for nothing in football; you need to play the game on the pitch. We've got a lead and tomorrow will be a different game. We want to give it our best shot."

How come you chose to sell Clement Grenier?

"Clement had a few physical problems and we also had a lot of midfielders. We thought that moving to Roma could be a chance for him to get back in the frame. We're all aware of his talent."

What are Roma's main attacking threats?

"They're a team with lots of options in attack. They've got pace, makes moves in behind, but also a striker like Edin Dzeko who can be lethal in front of goal. We've carefully studied how they play and how to correct the things that didn't go so well in the first leg."