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Roma to face Lyon in the Europa League: Key facts about Les Gones

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Roma will face French side Olympique Lyon in the last-16 of the UEFA Europa League, following Friday's draw in Nyon...

Roma will face French side Olympique Lyon in the last-16 of the UEFA Europa League, following Friday's draw in Nyon.

The Giallorossi beat Villarreal 4-1 on aggregate to reach this stage - while Lyon demolished Dutch side AZ Alkmaar 7-1 at home on Thursday to clinch an 11-2 aggregate triumph.

Lyon coach Bruno Genesio has guided Les Gones to fourth in the Ligue 1 table this season, with 43 points from their 25 games to date. They currently sit 16 points behind league leaders Monaco.

They came into the Europa League after finishing third in Group H of the Champions League - losing out to Juventus and Sevilla. Juventus drew 1-1 with Lyon at home, beating them 1-0 at the Stade de Lyon.

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When are the games?

Kick-off times are still to be confirmed, but this is the expected dates for the game:

Thursday 9 March - Stade de Lyon
Thursday 16 March - Stadio Olimpico

Both games are 21:05 CET (20:05 GMT / 15:05 ET) kick-offs.

Ticket information for Giallorossi supporters for both legs will be confirmed as soon as possible, and publicised via asroma.com.

What have we had to say?

“Lyon is a team with great history and excellent players. Nonetheless, we are Roma: Our team is competitive and we shouldn’t be afraid of anybody.”

- Team executive Antonio Tempestilli

What is their reaction to the draw?

"Roma are one of the best teams in the competition. The draw is what it is. We must now prepare for it. If we want to go all the way, let's play the big sides." - Lyon boss Bruno Genesio.

Roma are a difficult test but these will be great games to play in." - Lyon defender Mouctar Diakhaby

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Do we have history with Lyon?

Yes - Roma last faced the Ligue 1 side in the last-16 of the Champions League back in the 2006-07 season.

On that occasion the first leg was in Italy, with the two sides playing out a 0-0 draw. In the return leg, however, a fantastic solo strike from Mancini lit up the game - as Francesco Totti also found the net to clinch a 2-0 aggregate win.

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And do we know any of their players?

Well, they certainly no one of ours, although Clement Grenier - who joined Roma from Lyon on loan in January - is not eligible for the Europa League.

But Lyon defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will be very familiar to most Giallorossi fans, having spent the 2014-15 season at the club.

More generally, Lyon have a wealth of young attacking talent that have many casual observers excited - they signed Memphis Depay from Manchester United in January (although he is also ineligible) but the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Maxwel Cornet, Corentin Tolisso and Nabil Fekir are all highly-regarded young talents.