Hamburg - Bayern Munich will be going out for victory at Olympique Lyon on Wednesday to make absolutely sure of top spot in Group F of the European Champions League.

A win followed by a victory on Saturday at VfB Stuttgart - and possible top spot in the Bundesliga - would be the perfect end to the year for Bayern in Juergen Klinsmann's first term in charge.

Yet a defeat in Lyon might conceivably be considered a good omen for the German champions.

The last time Bayern lost on French soil - a heavy 3-0 defeat at Lyon in March 2001 - they went on to win Europe's top crown just two months later.

That defeat in Lyon brought an angry tirade from president Franz Beckenbauer who told the players at their post-match dinner their performance was "a fiasco" and "had nothing in common with football."

Beckenbauer should be spared the need for a similar speech late Wednesday. The former playing great is purring right now following Bayern's last-gasp 2-1 win on Friday at Bundesliga leaders Hoffenheim and the team's improved form over the past couple of months.

Bayern could even go on to win the Champions League title, he claims.

"If you have two good days you can beat anyone, even Barcelona. We are well equipped for really big targets," he said in newspaper interviews this week.

Bayern come up against a familiar foe in the Stade de Gerland, having met Lyon in the Champions League in the 2000-01 and 2003-04 seasons. In the latter campaign Bayern also suffered a 2-1 home defeat in the group stage.

The two sides finished 1-1 in the first match this season in Munich on September 30. With the two sides level on 11 points, it means that a win or a goalless draw would be enough for Lyon to claim top spot, while Bayern need a win or any score draw to finish top.

Bayern's new-found confidence has come with the return from injury of France midfielder Franck Ribery who has been in outstanding form.

Ribery missed the start of the season following ankle surgery, but since he started a game for the first time at the beginning of October, Bayern have not been beaten in 10 league outings.

"Which team has a magic triangle of the likes of (Philipp) Lahm, Ze Roberto and Ribery on the left side? You can search the world and won't find it. And up front, (Luca) Toni and (Miroslav) Klose," Beckenbauer said.

Ribery will be keen to show his countrymen why he has been voted the French player of the year for the second successive time - ahead of Lyon striker Karim Benzema - in the annual poll organized by France Football.

"The accolade matters to me, especially as a Frenchman playing abroad. It shows I'm playing well, I'm in good physical shape, and also that I'm settled in Munich," Ribery said.

The midfielder had already been voted Germany's player of the year - and could be a candidate for higher accolades if he can inspire Bayern to Champions League glory.

"For him to receive the same recognition internationally that he already enjoys in France and Germany, it will require success on the international stage," Klinsmann told Munich's website fcbayern. de.

"We're hoping to go a long way in the Champions League this season. The vote for European player of the year shows you have to make at least the Champions League semi-finals or shine at the Euro or World Cup to win this award."

Klinsmann has practically a full contingent for the trip to France, with Turkey international midfielder Hamit Altintop also close to a return following follow-up surgery in August to his fractured right foot. Striker Lukas Podolski, who has back problems, remained one uncertainty.

Lyon coach Claude Puel is missing defenders Francois Clerc, Anthony Reveillere and John Mensah through injuries. Benzema remains. a doubt with a hamstring injury, while defender Cris and Brazilian playmaker and free-kick specialist Juninho are both suspended.

"He's one of their main weapons and they'll miss him," Klinsmann said, recalling the Brazilian's free-kick deflected into his own net by Martin Demichelis in their match in Munich.

Lyon, who have won the French league title for seven straight seasons, are also struggling to find form after three league games without a win, including a 2-1 defeat to promoted Nantes on Saturday. (dpa)