Müller motivated by pride of Lyon

After winning four trophies in as many years during his first spell at Olympique Lyonnais, centre-back Patrick Müller is once again savouring the club's "culture de la gagne" (winning mentality), as he gears up to face PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Halcyon period
The Switzerland international enjoyed a successful four-season spell at the Stade Gerland after joining in 2000, playing a key role in a halcyon period at the club. He scored the winning goal in the French League Cup final in his first season with Lyon, ending a long 27-year wait for a major trophy, and that proved the catalyst for the most successful spell in the side's history. By the time Müller departed to join Spanish side RCD Mallorca during the summer of 2004, he had collected three Ligue 1 titles.

'Huge surprise'
The 29-year-old did not last long at the Son Moix before returning to his homeland where he helped FC Basel 1893 to the Swiss Super League title. But his bond with Lyon is deep rooted, and although there is a new man at the Lyon helm, when a major injury crisis hit the club over the new year, one name featured highly in discussions about defensive cover, even if it did surprise the man himself. "I was still in touch with some players at Lyon but I never have thought they'd call upon me again," Müller said. "It was a huge surprise."

Hasty move
Surprise or not, the charismatic defender wasted little time in making a decision, and soon swapped the Rhine for the Rhone by signing a two-and-a-half year contract worth €4m. "He won't require any bedding in," said Lyon coach Gérard Houllier, who with Claudio Caçapa, Eric Abidal, Jérémy Berthod and Anthony Réveillère all injured, named Müller in the starting XI alongside Brazilian Cris in the French Cup against AJ Ajaccio seven days later.

Superb season
"Cris is a complete defender and I can learn a lot from him," said the Swiss, who is delighted that the aura of invincibility that he drew on during his first spell still lingers at the Stade Gerland. "There's a real 'culture de la gagne' at the club - Lyon are a side that don't lose." That is not quite true, Houllier's men were defeated by Lille LOSC Métropole in December - a solitary blip in a season otherwise blessed by highs.

Personal landmark
Müller believes this side is better than the one he left 18 months ago, saying: "The current Champions League campaign shows just how much they have progressed since my departure - look at the way they overawed Real Madrid [CF, winning 3-0]." The Geneva-born player, an unused substitute in Basel's loss to Werder Bremen in the third qualifying round earlier this season, is expected to make his 50th appearance in UEFA club competition on Tuesday, when Lyon face PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 at the Philips Stadion.

'Fight'
The French team will be seeking revenge for last season's quarter-final, when the Dutch team progressed after a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Should they do so, and Müller plays his part, he will further cement a place in Houllier's thoughts as he prepares to battle to retain his place when team-mates return to fitness. "I'm aware they turned to me because of their injury list," he said. "I arrived as a crutch and will have to fight for my position once regulars recover."