All roads appear to have been leading to this one moment for Lyon this season, with the French giants finding themselves at something of a crossroads.
The biggest match of the season sits on the horizon, as they are tasked with defeating a Juventus team containing Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. to progress to the latter stages of the tournament.
Much hinges on the fixture, given that it could well be the last match for certain players who are looking to leave, Lyon could end the campaign empty-handed and the squad have only played one competitive match since March!
However, this said, the side will enter the fixture holding a 1-0 aggregate lead over the Italian giants. Sportsmail takes a look at the unfolding situation for Lyon…
Hang on to those star names
Such is the recruitment system in place at Lyon, the club is often littered with unearthed gems.
This is the case once again, and now a real exodus could be on the cards this summer as Lyon look to keep healthy financial books in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Among those names, Moussa Dembele looks like he could well be playing his last match for the club.
Moussa Dembele is a wanted man and may be playing his final game with the club
The striker has picked up where he left off at Celtic and continued his rise in European football. He’s a constant goal threat for Lyon and top sides around the continent are taking note.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move, which could accelerate should they lose Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer. Inter Milan, also, have been tipped for a move should they sell Lautaro Martinez.
Likewise, a similar situation is mounting with Memphis Depay, who has become a man reborn at Lyon to emerge as the club’s dependable talisman.
Borussia Dortmund are sniffing around, looking for a cut-price move in the summer. Lyon, should they progress in the Champions League and show their standing among Europe’s elite, would be in much stronger position to refuse – or simply drive up their prices.
Memphis Depay has attracted the interest of Borussia Dortmund among other elite sides
These moves will likely have a knock-on effect for Houssem Aouar, who is widely regarded as the brightest, albeit hidden, gem in the Lyon crown.
Huge things are hoped for the 22-year-old, though it would make sense for the fleet-footed playmaker to press for a transfer if big names around him are packing their bags.
Shake off the rust
This will perhaps be the biggest issue for Lyon, who are desperately short of competitive action.
Unlike Juve, Lyon were not afforded the luxury of returning to play out their season – much to the wild fury of club president Jean-Michel Aulas.
Ligue 1 was curtailed with runaway leaders PSG declared victors, as Aulas publicly branded it ‘stupid.’
As a result Lyon have played just once since March. And lost. It’s not exactly great for team spirit.
Lyon have confidence of holding a lead against Juve, but have played only once since March
They did manage to take PSG the distance in the French Coupe de la Ligue final, before losing 6-5 on penalties.
While Lyon players have taken the luxury of a break, and have had plenty of extra time to fine tune on the training pitch, Juve hold the advantage of coming straight off the back of weekly match acton.
Juve battled down to the wire to retain their Serie A title, so are very much in the grove. Legs, however, are now carrying plenty of fatigue.
Lyon need to shake off the quickly, and strike fast.
Avoid a presidential meltdown
As aforementioned, Aulas never shies away from opening his mouth.
The outspoken Lyon president kicked off a huge fuss over the ending of the French season, and received a sub-section of support for his cause.
The fiery-tongued chief has done well to keep himself in check prior to the Champions League clash, and not complain about the travel to Italy – unlike the fuss caused by the presidents of Barcelona and Napoli.
When Aulas keeps things calm and under control, Lyon usually benefit as a result.
Club president Jean-Michel Aulas does not hold back and is known for his outbursts
The club can ill-afford a meltdown from the top should they be ejected from the competition by Juve, as bids start flooding in for players.
Given the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, clubs are likely to place bids at significantly lower amounts this summer.
Aulas will need to keep his business acumen in check, and not court the back pages of the newspapers with his strong words as he did a few years ago when Liverpool attempted to sign star man Nabil Fekir.
Take the game to Juve
Much easier said than done, given Lyon have to make the imposing trip to Turin.
Nonetheless they do lead in this fixture and should use the confidence which comes from that to their own game.
It is important Lyon don’t simply turn up inside the Allianz Stadium looking to hold out and hope for the best.
In the first leg Lyon won due to a clinical edge, despite letting Juve claim the lion’s share of possession.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. have had a tiring end to the season, so Lyon should look to strike fast
The French side only had 36 per cent of possession, but did manage to produce 12 shots and get two of these on target. One, of course, rippled the back of the net.
In contrast Juve couldn’t make their 64 per cent of possession count when it mattered. They registered 14 shots but, most importantly, none were on target.
Resilience prevailed but Lyon cannot run of the risk of attempting to pull it off a second time.