Caçapa recovers to lift Lyon
Friday, March 25, 2005
Article summary
Olympique Lyonnais have been boosted by the news that captain Claudio Caçapa has overcome a knee injury.
Article body
Fitness proved
The 28-year-old centre-back has proved his fitness after two reserve games and is ready to return after nearly five months out, save for an aborted attempt at the end of February. "I could run, jump and play normally," he said after a midweek run-out against AS Saint-Etienne. A knock suffered late in the game caused slight concern, but doctors were satisfied it was nothing serious.
Key encounter
The Brazilian defender added: "If the coach puts his faith in me, I hope to play against [RC] Lens. I have been waiting for that moment for so long." Lyon are eleven points clear at the top of Ligue 1 while Lens, their next opponents a week tomorrow, are ninth but still have designs on a UEFA Cup place.
PSV visit
If all goes well for Caçapa, he could well get the armband back on 5 April for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against PSV Eindhoven at Stade Gerland. He was first injured on 30 October in a league match against RC Strasbourg. He played for 25 minutes against AS Monaco FC last month but the injury had still not fully healed, hence his absence until now.
