Lyon confident of passing Torres test

Olympique Lyonnais reached the UEFA Women's Cup semi-finals in both of the last two seasons, their first European campaigns. Now they welcome ASD Torres Calcio to the Stade de Gerland hoping to take a significant step towards emulating that feat in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

The French champions have scored 14 goals without reply in their four European fixtures so far and a 3-1 loss at FCF Hénin-Beaumont in November remains their sole defeat on the domestic scene. Although captain Sandrine Dusang is out with a torn achilles and centre-back Laura Georges has a knee injury, there was a boost for coach Farid Benstiti on Sunday – France goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi returned from a long-term absence in the second half of the 9-0 French Cup last 16 defeat of Muret AS.

Benstiti and Dusang were in Italy at the weekend to watch Patrizia Panico score twice as Torres qualified for the six-team Coppa Italia finals by beating S.S. Lazio 3-0. The Lyon coach is in confident mood, however, saying: "They are a team with a particular system, three centre-backs and two wide midfielders. They did not impress me but they will be a different proposition on Wednesday, raising their game." Dusang identified Silvia Fuselli as a danger but added: "We noticed some space in their defence which we could take advantage of."

Panico is familiar with Lyon having suffered a 9-1 aggregate quarter-final defeat by the French champions with former club ASD CF Bardolino Verona last year. "I must admit the French team are probably the strongest in Europe right now," the experienced Italy striker said. "However, there are no weak sides when you are among the best eight in the continent. Last year, when I was playing for Bardolino, Lyon scored nine goals against us and kicked us out of the competition. I hope it will be a completely different story this time around."

Torres have won their way through from the qualifying round and hold an unbeaten record at the top of Serie A having won 12 of their 14 games with 45 goals scored and only five conceded. Against Lazio, forward Selenia Iacchelli came off the bench to make a scoring debut and fellow newcomer Maiju Ruotsalainen also impressed.