An informed observer of the French league before taking control of OM, Didier Deschamps gives us his analysis of today's Lyon as well as Sunday's match.

Your opponents Lyon put in two huge performances against Real Madrid, but could only draw against Boulogne (0-0) and Saint-Etienne (1-1). How do you explain that?
They have also had to play every three or four days. The rhythm is very high. You use a lot of energy against an opponent like that in the Champions League. But, OL are still dangerous.

Is the encounter decisive?
Not decisive, no. But, it is very important. If we win, we could build up a good gap between us and some direct opponents. We still have a game in hand against Sochaux and we will absolutely have to win that one.

A lot is often said a about a final sprint home. Has it started?
Let’s say we’re in the final turn. You have to deal with it well in order to be in a good tempo for the final strait. I’m still convinced that the league will be tight right to the end. Everything could hang on the final game, maybe even goal difference.

Lyon won the title seven times in a row, but their hold on the league seems to have waned over the last two years. Could we say that OL are in a rebuilding phase?
The club welcomed a new manager two years ago and some emblematic figures have left the club. You always have an osmosis that needs to be refound. But, I’ll repeat myself, they are a competitive side who can beat any opponent. They also have in their squad a player of great international class in Lisandro Lopez.

OL don’t seem to strike the same fear into their adversaries these days?
We probably talk about it less. Lyon had a wobbly period during the first half of the season, but they are still in the race for the top spots. That says it all.

What should we fear from this side?
They have great potential but are lacking the regularity of the last few seasons. They are organized to defend well and break forward very quickly.

Could we have another score like the one in the game at Gerland (5-5)?
Honestly, I hope not. If the spectators in the ground and in front of their television sets were delighted, that game still leaves me with regrets. I can’t forget that with only 10 minutes to go we were 4-2 ahead.

Find the interview in full in OM match, distributed free of charge at the Vélodrome on Sunday before the match