Evian Thonon Gaillard - Lyonnais preview - Fournier recognises Wass threat

Lyon coach Hubert Fournier has admitted to being wary of a player his Evian counterpart Pascal Dupraz this week claimed "walks on water".

Mercurial midfielder Daniel Wass would appear to have no equal within the Evian squad as he has been voted player of the month eight times in a row.

Wass is likely on his way to making it nine after scoring the opener in Wednesday's 2-1 win at Bastia with one of his free-kick specials for his eighth goal of the season.

Since joining Evian from Benfica in 2012, the Dane - linked with a January move to Chelsea and Liverpool - has scored 19 goals overall, with eight of those arriving from dead-ball situations.

It is no wonder Fournier has urged his players to avoid giving away any unnecessary free-kicks around the penalty area ahead of his side's visit to Evian on Sunday.

"We can all judge his quality in this area," said Fournier.

"He obviously gives our opponents confidence because they know it is a way they can break a deadlock.

"It means we need to be careful, to avoid making mistakes, but the players are aware of the danger, the staff too.

"But can I remind you we have scored from three free-kicks ourselves this season."

A last-gasp 2-1 victory over Reims on Thursday saw Lyon return to winning ways after a run of five straight successes was ended by a goalless draw at Bastia and shock 3-0 defeat at St Etienne.

It was a win that kept Lyon in the hunt for this year's championship as they have closed to within five points of leaders Marseille.

But Fournier concedes he is struggling to determine his best team at present, particular away from home where Lyon have only mustered six points from a possible 21.

"There is a desire to impose our game more, especially compared to our last two away games," added Fournier, who has defender Milan Bisevac back from suspension.

"There is also a collective will to play higher (up the pitch) because often we play too low, with the defenders retreating too quickly.

"At times we do not get back together and we give our opponents too much space.

"We have offensive and creative players, but I'm not going to deny it, we have not always been able to establish the ideal team."

Lyon face a hit-and-miss Evian side that began the season with a point from their first six matches before winning their next three games, losing four after that, and they have now won three in a row again.