Caçapa aims to cap comeback

By Sandrine Mangenot in Lyon

A five-month absence following a serious knee injury has left Olympique Lyonnais captain Claudio Caçapa eagerly anticipating his return to the UEFA Champions League tonight when the French title-holders take on PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their quarter-final.

Impressive return
Saturday saw the central defender back in action for the first time at senior level since 30 October - apart from an abortive 25-minute run-out against AS Monaco FC in February - and he immediately looked back to his best in a 1-0 victory against RC Lens.

Fans can help
It is another challenge again to be thrown into the Champions League furnace with precious little football under his belt but Caçapa believes he can take it in his stride, with a bit of help from the Stade Gerland fans.

'Massive influence'
"This competition has a massive influence on players and fans and the supporters can lift us for these games," the Brazilian international told uefa.com. "It feels tense on the pitch and euphoric in the stands and I just hope the fans are behind us on Tuesday. It will help us a lot. The sooner I'm back at Gerland, the better it is because the fans will make me feel more confident."

No fears
PSV hold no fears for Caçapa and his team-mates. "I saw them against Monaco and they are a decent side who play with determination and as a team," he said. "Lyon will have to be careful but PSV are not better than us."

Serious injury
After missing much of last season with knee trouble, the 28-year-old Caçapa was ever-present at the start of this campaign and played in the first three Champions League Group D fixtures. But ten days after the 3-1 win at Fenerbahçe SK he came off worst in a tackle in a Ligue 1 fixture with RC Strasbourg and suffered knee ligament damage.

New contract
On that same evening he was offered a new contract, a gesture from club president Jean-Michel Aulas that was greatly appreciated. "Lyon mean almost everything to me," Caçapa admitted. "When I got injured, nobody really knew how serious it was but when Lyon told me they wanted me for another two years it was a strong signal and I felt very emotional. I wanted to stay because I am very happy here."

Brazilian bond
Now he has recovered full fitness Caçapa can resume his defensive pairing with compatriot Cris. There is a strong bond between all the Brazilians plying their trade in Europe.

Close ties
"I am in touch with Lincoln at [FC] Schalke [04], Zé Roberto at [FC] Bayern [München], Edmílson at [FC] Barcelona, Evanilson at [BV] Borussia Dortmund and others. Brazilians always remain in touch and links last for long between us. I knew Cris because I played several times against him but I never talked to him before he arrived in Lyon."

Good form
In his absence Lyon have continued to make an impressive defence of their French title and currently hold a 13-point advantage over LOSC Lille Métropole. They were awesome in overcoming Werder Bremen 10-2 on aggregate in the Champions League last 16 and now their captain is restored to good health they will be a difficult proposition for any opposition.

Last-four target
Caçapa says it is time they came of age in the competition and will be disappointed if they again miss a first semi-final. "The Champions League is an extraordinary experience and I'm delighted Lyon have been part of it for a couple of years. But now we must go further than we have done in the past."