Lyon will be bidding to keep their Cup double bid on track this week as they take on third division Gazelec in Ajaccio in the French Cup semi-final on Tuesday followed by the League Cup final against defending champions Marseille on Saturday.
It is the first time that Lyon will be competing in the two Cup finals in the same year - a feat achieved by Paris Saint-Germain three times (1995, 1998, 2008) and Lorient once in 2002.
After their Champions League elimination on March 7 in Nicosia following a difficult winter, Lyon have hit form with five wins including beating PSG to book their spot in the French Cup semi-final.
Lyon, seven-time Ligue 1 champions from 2002-2008, are fourth in the league 10 points behind leaders Montpellier, after their 2-1 win over Auxerre at the weekend.
"The results are there and they give us confidence, reinforced by the players ambition, some of whom have never won a trophy. Some came to Lyon with that aim," said coach Remi Garde.
But he remained wary of their rivals.
"It's not by chance that Gazelec are in the semi-finals but thanks to their footballing qualities," said Garde.
"Ajaccio have a very good defence, in-form players and a strong attack."
Gazelec captain Louis Poggi said his team were ready for what will be a massive tie for them as they are also in line to move up to Ligue 2.
"We're living a dream but we've still not won anything yet," said Poggi.
Source: AFP
