Lyon 1 - 1 Barcelona

Lyon coach labels Barcelona ''best in the world''

Updated: February 23, 2009, 7:39 AM ET

Lyon coach Claude Puel has labelled Barcelona ''the best team in the world'' ahead of Tuesday's match between the two sides in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Primera Liga leaders Barca have been installed as heavy favourites to see off Les Gones, who are constant under-achievers in Europe's elite competition.

Puel believes his team have the ability to cause an upset but admits it is a tough ask to get the better of the Blaugrana over two legs.

''It's the most difficult draw we could have faced, given that Barca is the best team in the world at the moment,'' Puel said ahead of the first leg, which takes place at the Stade Gerland.

''Barca are stronger than us. It's a pleasure to watch them play - they have everything in their team to produce great football.

''They have some great individual players, but they play with a team spirit and a strong mindset. It'll be tough for us but I think we have a chance if we play as a team.

''Obviously we don't have as many stars as Barca, but we have our own resources.''

The teams come into the match having experienced contrasting fortunes in their respective leagues at the weekend.

Barca were beaten 2-1 at home by neighbours Espanyol and saw their lead at the top of the table cut to seven points as a result of second-placed Real Madrid's 6-1 win over Real Betis.

Lyon, meanwhile, extended their cushion at the summit of Ligue 1 to six points thanks to their 2-0 victory at Nancy.

They have won four of their last five league games and their confidence has flooded back after a sticky spell before the winter break.

Their backline has also improved since the start of the season, with Jean-Alain Boumsong and Cris proving an obdurate central-defensive partnership.

Barca captain Carles Puyol is confident his team-mates will have forgotten about the Espanyol defeat - and the draw against Real Betis a week earlier - by the time they run out at the Stade Gerland.

''Losing always hurts, you feel it in the dressing room. But we're looking forward to the next match,'' said the Spain defender.

''We haven't had good results in the last two games, but we haven't lost our self-confidence. We know where we are going and we have to continue playing in the same style.''

On the match against Lyon, he added: ''It's 50/50. They're a solid team with some great players.''

Barca will be without France left-back Eric Abidal, who has been ruled out for at least two months with an adductor injury sustained against Espanyol.

Key Lyon players Karim Benzema, Juninho, Ederson and Fabio Grosso started on the bench against Nancy, with the first three coming on as second-half substitutes.

They will all return to the starting line-up, as should winger Kader Keita, who was an unused substitute at the weekend.

The right-back position is still a major concern for Puel, with Anthony Reveillere and Francois Clerc still out with long-term knee injuries.

Midfielder Fabio Santos has been filling in there over the past few weeks but he is also out injured, so centre-back John Mensah should move over to the right.