They want to make example of me for French football'

Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca reflects on his nine-month domestic ban and preparing to face Manchester United

- Nick Ames

"This kind of motivation can make miracles," says Paulo Fonseca as he describes the glint in his Lyon players' eyes before the visit of Manchester United. It is a clash of two giants who have lost their way - although something, at least, is stirring in France's second city. They have won eight of their 11 games since Fonseca's arrival less than two and a half months ago and that tells only part of a story with little precedent.

The Europa League quarter-final first leg tonight will be a rare opportunity for Fonseca to do what he enjoys best: manage his team from the technical area, cajoling and tweaking from the sidelines. Early in March he was given a nine-month ban from domestic games for aggressively confronting the referee Benoit Millot towards the end of a win against Brest. He is barred from the dugout and from communicating with his bench until 30 November, but will be allowed access to the dressing rooms and tunnel area from 15 September. Recent Ligue 1 matches have been taken in from the press box. Uefa-run fixtures offer relief and he is still getting his head around a suspension with a duration which could have jeopardised his career.

"The only positive point in this entire situation is that I get another perspective to watch the game," he says. "It's easy to see from where I am now. The most difficult thing is not being allowed contact with the players before or during games, or at half-time. It's harder to manage things. But we are well organised and have made good preparations. Even with me far away, things are going very well."