Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is expecting "a big season" and has vowed his team will boost their faltering title challenge against Bordeaux next week.

Les Gones have qualified from Champions League Group E, but have faced criticism of late after a five-match winless run in Ligue 1.

They trail Les Girondins by two points after being held at home by Rennes on Sunday - their fourth draw during that sequence.

But Aulas told L'Equipe: "You're on the wrong track if you think we are less strong than last season.

"I have great confidence in the team, the players have progressed individually and collectively.

"We will have a big season: we are stronger physically, we have had our injury troubles and the international calendar will finally leave us alone. I am confident."

Despite their relative struggles - compared to their seven successive titles prior to last season - Aulas insists OL are well on course to achieving their season's goals, and that December 13's visit of Laurent Blanc's side will see another ticked off the list.

"We had five objectives for the season," he continued. "Qualify from the preliminary phase of the Champions League, beat St Etienne for the umpteenth time, reach the last 16 of the Champions League and produce a spectacle.

"The first three have been realised.

"The fifth objective is to beat the champions of France, Bordeaux - you do not have much longer to wait."