Not even during Lyon’s most dominant years between 2004 and 2007 could they have claimed to be a serious European force. Boasting one of the world’s finest midfields, they would win Ligue 1 at a canter and cruise through the Champions League group stage year upon year.

Lacking the big match temperament

Juninho, Mahamadou Diarra, Michael Essien, Florent Malouda and Sidney Govou helped OL rattle ten past Werder Bremen over two games, as well as thrash Madrid twice. It was mightily impressive stuff. Yet the moment they came up against a genuine giant in the knockout stage, nerves would take over.

Simply put, Barcelona, Manchester United, AS Roma, AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven and FC Porto – Lyon’s conquerors over the last six seasons – have more European experience and, crucially, a superior big-match temperament.

They don’t make the kind of mistakes that Eric Abidal made in the last minute against Milan. Nor do they miss the number of chances Lyon missed at home to Barça last season.

Cautious approach reaps rewards

In terms of talent, those Lyon sides deserved better than three quarter-finals. This current team, it could be argued, don’t. They have too often been stodgy in the league this year and look likely to miss out on the title for the second season running. The swashbuckling attacking football that was the club’s trademark has been put on hold and the fans have made it clear to Claude Puel they do not like his more cautious approach.

Puel’s methods, though, were vindicated to a degree by the performance in the 1-0 win over Madrid on February 16. It was so controlled, so measured, OL made Florentino Perez’s latest concoction of superstar footballers look like Boulogne sur Mer on a bad day.

This may not be the most gifted Lyon side but that was easily the most complete performance Les Gones have produced against a leading force beyond the group stage.

It is no coincidence Puel oversaw that win having already masterminded triumphs over United and Milan during his Lille days. Players have complained about the physical nature of his training sessions, about Puel’s insistence on working on positional play and defending as a unit. But that work is paying dividends in European games and Puel clearly possesses a shrewd tactical mind.

Terrific team effort

Centre-backs Jean-Alain Boumsong and Cris were rightly praised for stifling Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka at Stade Gerland, although they enjoyed such superb protection from a five-man midfield marshalled by Jérémy Toulalan this was not the hardest of games for them.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t only kept quiet by Anthony Réveillère – industrious winger Govou was always there to double up. It was a real team display. The moment Lyon won possession, they sprung forward on the counter with menace, usually via César Delgado who enjoyed his best game in a Lyon shirt.

Lisandro Lopez was again the best forward on the pitch; and Madrid’s defenders will be wary of him in the second leg. Life at the Bernabeu will be tough; Madrid remain one of Europe’s form teams having scored 11 goals in their last two league matches. Score over there, though, and OL will be in a very strong position.

It’s hard to believe this Lyon side, so heavily criticised this season, could claim such a notable scalp. Yet if the players carry out Puel’s instructions to the letter again, they have a terrific chance to do something their predecessors never managed. And if they finally overcome the psychological hurdle of eliminating a prestigious club, the rest of Europe had better watch out.

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