Paris Saint Germain vs Lyonnais - Lyon boss aims to send another message

The pressure on Hubert Fournier lifted in midweek but will be right back on his shoulders if Lyon do not put up a good fight against runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain on Sunday.

Following last weekend's loss to Angers, which left them 19 points adrift of PSG, owner Jean-Michel Aulas implied Fournier had two games to save his job.

The first went a lot better than expected as Lyon ruined Gary Neville's first game in charge of Valencia at the Mestalla with a shock 2-0 victory.

Fournier refused to talk about Aulas' comments at a press conference ahead of the PSG clash, but defender Jeremy Morel said the performance against Valencia had sent a message.

"We proved against Valencia that we are behind the coach, we all pulled in the same direction," he said. "When the results are not there, it's normal that there is pressure on the coach and us. We must succeed in making that go away."

Fournier has sensed a change in the mood after Lyon's first win in six games.

He said: "It's good for everyone. Everyone was delighted with the result and the attitude of the group. We must realise that we can reproduce our performance. The players are more relieved, more relaxed. This restores confidence in our abilities."

PSG represent a formidable challenge, though. They have won 14 of their 17 league matches and drawn the other three.

Fournier knows not much will be expected of his side, saying: "It is only we who can believe it, it makes sense. I take it as a great challenge. We'll have to make a very big match against one of the best European teams."

Lyon's chances will not be helped by the absence of striker Alexandre Lacazette, who will be missing until next year after suffering a hamstring injury against Valencia.

PSG are flying domestically and in Europe, but their Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek was overshadowed by claims goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu had refused to play.

But agent Carlo Pallavicino insisted there was nothing suspicious about the absence of Sirigu, who has lost his place to Kevin Trapp this season.

"Salvatore Sirigu did not refuse," he said in an interview with Le Parisien.

"There was a decision taken in mutual agreement with the coach (Laurent Blanc) not to jeopardise the possibility of a January move."