No matter how many French titles Lyon win, they still seem to be underestimated when it comes to the Champions League. Even though the club continue to boast talented players, they are yet to take that next step and become mentioned in the same breath as Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The club’s youth system and shrewd transfer dealings have thrust some world class players into the first team at the Stade Gerland from Michael Essien to Florent Malouda to Karim Benzema. And the latest star to emerge at Lyon is Miralem Pjanic, the classy Bosnian midfielder bought from Metz in June 2008.
 
The team’s fine displays in the Champions League group stage, which included an outstanding four-point haul against Liverpool that knocked the English giants out of the competition, were another indication that Lyon are here to stay as a European power. With their league form looking distinctly rocky – they have already lost five games and trail leaders Bordeaux by 11 points – Claude Puel’s side have seemingly saved their best for Europe, where Pjanic has played a key role.

The diminutive playmaker, who made 38 appearances during his time at Metz and is still just 19, has made a bright start to this season after a frustrating first campaign for Lyon in which injuries and poor form dropped him down the pecking order. He was used in wide positions and had limited opportunities to influence the game. Pace is not one of Pjanic’s biggest strengths and he was being nullified too easily on the flanks. Though he had been nominated for Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year during his time at Metz, the £6.6M price tag was beginning to look steep and weigh heavily around his neck.

But everything changed when attacking midfielder and talisman Juninho left the club in the summer. Suddenly, a central, playmaking berth became available and this proved to be the turning point in Pjanic’s Lyon career to date. He staked his claim for the role and, with his touch and vision, was soon winning over the doubters and shrugging off opponents, despite his Luka Modric-esque frame.

He might not be Juninho’s equal when it comes to smashing home mind-blowing free-kicks but Pjanic certainly has an eye for goal. In fact, the Bosnian got his season off to a flier with a fine strike against Anderlecht in the Champions League qualifying round and he followed that up in style when the group stage began. Having been drawn alongside Liverpool and Fiorentina, it meant the pressure was on but Pjanic came up trumps, scoring the winner in the opening match against the Italians to get Lyon off to a roaring start.
 
The midfielder was among the goals again in a 4-0 win in Debreceni in the next European fixture before finding the net against the Hungarians again as the group stage drew to a close. Three goals was an impressive tally and spoke volumes of his ability to handle the big stage. Like the rest of his team-mates, the Champions League appeared to bring out the best in him.
 
Pjanic’s journey to the first team at Lyon, which began when his parents fled Bosnia and moved to Luxembourg, has been a whirlwind and he has barely had time to take it all in. Though he represented Luxembourg at under-17 level, the midfielder’s heart still belonged to Bosnia and he has proved a big hit at international level. After a handful of under-21 appearances, he made his senior debut against Bulgaria in August 2008 and has been become a fixture in the starting line-up ever since.
 
And with every game at Lyon, Pjanic is becoming a more complete player. The next major challenge – along with improving their position in Ligue 1 – comes in the shape of Spanish giants Real Madrid, Lyon’s opponents when the Champions League returns in February for the first knockout round. It is a perfect opportunity for Puel’s men to make a statement against Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and, of course, Karim Benzema, who was a Lyon player until last summer. David Beckham’s return to Manchester United with AC Milan and Jose Mourinho’s return to Chelsea with Internazionale have dominated the headlines but this promises to be an enthralling tie too.

If Lyon are going to beat Real Madrid and earn the respect they deserve for their achievements over the past decade, Pjanic needs to be at his best, dictate the tempo in midfield and put in performances beyond his years. It is a big ask but do not be surprised if he overshadows some of his more illustrious opponents.
 

 

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