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Réveillère ready to give no quarter

After losing three quarter-finals, right-back Anthony Réveillère told Olympique Lyonnais they must have "no regrets" as they aim to end that sequence against FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

The Lyon squad in training ahead of Tuesday's first leg
The Lyon squad in training ahead of Tuesday's first leg ©Getty Images

Anthony Réveillère told Olympique Lyonnais they must have "no regrets" as they prepare to take on FC Girondins de Bordeaux in the first leg of Tuesday's all-French UEFA Champions League quarter-final at Stade de Gerland.

The 30-year-old right-back knows the bitter taste of defeat having been knocked out at this stage with Lyon in 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 and expects his side to give no quarter as they look to end that run by reaching the last four for the first time.

"We can't have any regrets," Réveillère said. "We are not afraid of anything. In the quarter-finals, and I've played in three, everything is decided by the smallest details. Being the outsider or the favourite doesn't mean a thing. We're at home [in the first leg] so we have to make the running."

While Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc felt playing a French side added "spice" to the occasion, Réveillère believes the quarter-finals have their own flavour regardless of the opposition. "Just playing a quarter-final is extremely motivating," he said. "Everyone raises their game. We know the smell of the Champions League. There is a semi-final at stake."

While Réveillère accepts Lyon boast the greater European experience, he considers the tie to be "50/50" and dismisses suggestions that league form, or a busy fixture schedule, will have an impact on the outcome. Bordeaux beat Lyon 1-0 at Stade de Gerland on 13 December, a result Réveillère dismissed when questioned about it on Monday.

"We aren't seeking revenge for the game we lost in the league; we have to forget about that. We have a match to play and the important thing is not to concede a goal. Another 1-0 win like the one at home to Real Madrid would suit me well before the away game in Bordeaux. Everyone thought that lead would be insufficient against Madrid."

Lyon drew 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu to advance to 2-1 on aggregate. Bordeaux will pose a different test. While the pressure was all on heavily-favoured Madrid last time out, Bordeaux have been happy to fly the underdog flag en route to the last eight. A run of seven successive wins in the competition, though, suggests that might be a misnomer.

Bordeaux have the meanest defence in the competition with just three goals conceded and nine of their 12 goals have come from set pieces, leaving Lyon with plenty to contemplate. "It's true Bordeaux score a lot of goals from set pieces," Réveillère said. "They are athletic, but we have the players to counter them and have security in this area. It is up to us to be vigilant in those situations."

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