Lausanne Sports v Sparta Prague - Rueda wants Lausanne momentum

Posted Thursday, November 04, 2010 by ESPN

Martin Rueda is hoping his Lausanne side can build on their late equaliser against Sparta Prague in the return match.

Silvio's equaliser in the sixth minute of injury time gave the Swiss side their first point of the Europa League campaign when the sides met in the Czech Republic on October 21.

CSKA Moscow are on the brink of qualification from Group F with three wins from three, but the second qualifying place remains up for grabs and Lausanne's destiny is in their own hands.

Coach Rueda knows success at Le Stade Olympique de la Pontaise and victory against Palermo in their final game will earn his team a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

Rueda told his club's official website, www.lausanne-sport.ch: "We are filled with confidence after our deserved equaliser in the 96th minute in Prague.

"We will do everything to gain the three points. We are courageous and doubtless.''

Rueda believes his team, who also top their domestic league after a 3-1 defeat of Kriens, have lost the "fear factor''.

He explained: "We are trying to give less respect to our opponents. Against Sparta we undoubtedly will be hustled from the beginning but we will do everything to get a result.''

With Nicolas Marazzi suspended, Martin Steuble will claim a place in midfield. Striker Youssouf Traore remains on the sidelines alongside Baptiste Buntschu, but the return of fellow defender Nicolas Getaz is welcome.

Sparta will be without defender Ondrej Kusnir (ankle), but the team are given a boost by the return of striker Wilfried Bony. The Ivory Coast striker, who has netted three goals in the competition so far - including two against Lausanne in the 3-3 draw - has recovered from a virus.

Coach Jozef Chovanec was left fuming by the late goal two weeks ago which saw his team drop two points.

He said: "We watched the video of that match and I believe we all learned something.

"It's important we take three points. I know that we need to win. We realise this and will do our best.''