Like five-time French champions Lyon, Dynamo also sit atop their domestic league, a 2-0 away win over FC Kharkiv on the weekend seeing them move three points ahead of reigning champions Shakhtar Donetsk.

But Dynamo manager Anatoly Demianenko said he was far from optimistic ahead of the Lyon match, adding however that his team were now focusing on qualification for a UEFA Cup place.

"We do not have any illusions ahead of the match at Lyon," Demianenko told AFP on Monday. "The French champions are now one of the strongest clubs in Europe.

"We had several chances against Lyon at home but failed to convert them into goals," he added. "I hope we will be more lucky on Wednesday.

"We have lost the chance to advance into the Champions League knockout stage but still have a chance to clinch a place in the UEFA Cup."

Dynamo, however, will be without a set of their starting-line defenders as Vladislav Vashchuk, Sergei Fedorov and Goran Sablic, who have all been sidelined with injuries.

Two of Dynamo's Brazilian midfielders, Diogo Rincon and Carlos Correa, are also uncertain for the match at Lyon.