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As a young professional goalkeeper he made his debut with rivals AS Saint-Étienne, but 33-year-old Grégory Coupet (33) is well on his way to become Mr Olympique Lyon of his generation. He has been the man between the posts at Olympique Lyon for ten years. PSV Media interviewed him. The 2005-2006 season could be the best of Grégory Coupet’s impressive career. Olympique Lyon are set to clinch the fifth title in a row and he has celebrated some of these championships together with his team mates Claudio Caçapa, Sydney Govou and Juninho Pernambucano. Coupet meets PSV once again in the Champions League and he is the first choice stopper of Les Bleus. The French goalie discussed several topics with PSV Media ahead of Tuesday night’s clash in the Eindhoven Philips Stadium. Olympique Lyonnais will undoubtedly become French champions for the fifth time in succession. What does it mean to you?"We'll make history. We'll set a new record, if we succeed in clinching the title. We have already set a few club records, but winning five titles in arow has never been achieved by any French club before. We feel so proud, the more so as it not a simple challenge to win five titles in this day and age."Do you feel Olympique Lyon have made progress the past five years?"The board of directors has attempted to strengthen the squad each season. And they saw to it that the new signings would be complementary to the players of the squad. They have gradually strengthened our options and we now have only quality players in our squad. Juninho is known for his trade mark free kicks, by which he can turn a game upside down. Cris and John Carew are tall and physically strong strikers. Govou and Malouda are pacy wingers. Tiago and Diarra link well in midfield. We can always rely on our stubborn defenders and all players are fast and technically skilled. I feel all our players will contribute to pull off successes. It is about time we are going to reap successes." What was your first reaction when you heard you had been paired with PSV again?"I was content and thought these are going to be fine games. PSV have a great stadium and I am really looking forward to being there once again. Moreover we now have an excellent opportunity to make amends for last season’s elimination. We were knocked out of the tournament and yet we did not lose either of the two legs. We will attempt to prove we have become mature as a team."You also met PSV in the Peace Cup in South Korea. What are their strong and weak points and what players do you, as a goalkeeper, fear most of all?"PSV are a clever side. They are athletic, play a compact defence and they are a well-balanced team. Vennegoor, their striker up front, knows how to keep possession of the ball, so that other players can cut into the area. Farfán is a sensational and explosive forward, who knows how to accelerate. I think they are the most dangerous players."You'll play the return leg in Lyon. Do you consider that as an advantage?"We focus on that. But we should not forget that there are two legs and we must avoid having our hopes dented in Eindhoven. Last season we first played at home, but now we will play hosts to them in the return leg in Stade Gerland, which is certainly an advantage. It's up to us to take those chances."Any prediction?"A 0-0 draw would be super, especially if we manage to win at home. That would be the perfect scenario!"
