Alright, the Sheik has pumped me full of positive spunk and I'm thinking we can do this now.
Here's what we'll do:
Assuming Agger's injured (apparently he couldn't sit down on the flight from Liverpool to France), we go with Terence at right-back, and Carra in the middle.
A lot of our impressive away performances in Europe (Juve, Deportivo, Marseille, Real etc) have come as a result of sticking 5 across the middle, winning control of the game from there, grinding the opposition down, and winning the game through a bit of genius. I think we'll do the same again here. Go with this as our midfield/forward set-up:
DIRK--LUCAS--MASHER--AQUILANI--YOSSI
---------------------TORRES--------------------
For some reason I think he'll play Purple. Maybe a Champions League game might suit him more thna rough n tumble Premier League one as an introduction to regular football? Fuck knows. Mascherano doesn't leave our half, that's a given. Dirk to support the vastly inexperienced Terence at right-back, and Yossi, Lucas and Aqui to rotate and support Torres. We need to retain possession s much as possible in the midfield. Away to Fiorentina we gifted them the ball far too often. Benayoun, Lucas, Mascherano and Aqui are all comfortable in possession and can take the sting out of what could be a frenetic game. Flood the midfield, slow the pace down, retain possession, and stifle any of their attacks.
If we get 60 minutes out of 'Nando, fine job done. Either bring N'gog on to hold it up and work hard, or Babel to showcase him to potential suitors European suitors ahead of the January transfer window keep the game stretched and stop Lyon from pressing too far forward.
If we get to half-time at 0-0, we'll win.