Marseille assistant coach Guy Stephan does not believe the current Lyon side is as strong as the 2004/05 vintage.

Stephan, who had a spell as coach at the Stade Gerland in the mid-1990s, is confident OM can beat their title rivals on Sunday after claiming Les Gones have regressed in recent years.

"They are still a good team," he told www.OM.net, "but they don't have the quality nor the power of the 2004/05 team."

That Lyon side won 22 of their 38 Ligue 1 games and finished 12 points clear of closest challengers Lille.

"They do have good players though," he added. "To beat Liverpool and to draw in the return game is not a feat every team is capable of.

"They will be difficult opponents but we can take them on and beat them."

Marseille struggled to a 1-1 draw at home to Toulouse last weekend and Stephan feels the players will benefit this weekend from facing a team who will come at them.

"One of the difficulties we had last week was that we had no space in front of us," he said.

"Lyon will be different, they are a team that will look to attack.

"We will need to be well prepared as we will have opportunities to score."

Lyon come into the game full of confidence after a last-gasp Lisandro Lopez equaliser against Liverpool in midweek sealed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

They are currently second in the Ligue 1 table, just two points behind defending champions Bordeaux.

Marseille, who thrashed FC Zurich 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night, are seventh.