With a quartet of draws and just two goals in their last four league games at Gerland, Lyon's recent home form has been so mediocre there have been suggestions Claude Puel's men should occupy the away dressing-room to ensure an improved showing when Le Havre arrive in town on Sunday.

"We mustn't drop any more points at home," said Ederson, who had a simple explanation for his side's frustration in front of their own supporters. "Teams are highly motivated when they come to Gerland, and we can't expect any easy games.

"When we've played away, we've shown exemplary team spirit, which we have to reproduce at home. We have to be focussed and fight for every ball for 95 minutes."

Nice boost

Last weekend's impressive 3-1 win at Nice was ample illustration of the Brazilian's point as OL transformed a one-point lead prior to the weekend into a four-point advantage after it thanks to an industrious display on the south coast.

"We played a very good game at Nice - it was one of our best league performances of the season," said the ex-Nice midfielder, who joined Lyon last summer.

"Our attacking display was good, but we have to highlight our defensive work - everyone made the effort required. We have to keep that in mind for the remainder of the season. It could be the game that kickstarts our season, but we have to stay focussed as we're only four points ahead - that's nothing."

Anything other than three points against the league's bottom side on Sunday would be a major surprise, but Ederson is wary of Frédéric Hantz's men who shocked Rennes with a last-minute winner in Week 23.

"Anything can happen in football," said the 23-year-old, who scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot when the sides met in Normandy in Week 6. "We have respect for Le Havre. I remember that in the first game we only won 1-0 and it wasn't easy. Le Havre won against Rennes last weekend, and we have to stay humble in order to win the game."

'Defensive solidity'

While Lyon start favourites against Le Havre, they will be underdogs when Barcelona arrive in Lyon later this month for the duo's last 16 encounter in the Champions League.

Despite OL being written off as mere grist to the Catalans' all-conquering mill, Ederson is confident the French champions' Ligue 1-leading defence can stop Lionel Messi & co. in their tracks.

"Messi is a player who is very difficult to stop, but I have faith in our squad," he said. "We've got players who can produce top-class performances. We'll have to not make any mistakes in defence, and defend as a team. We've managed to refind our defensive solidity, and that could count against Barça."

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