The unanimous message from the Manchester City camp is one of defiance, but also caution.
Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gundogan insisted City were ready to face Lyon, even if their opinion of whether the one-leg format in the Champions League would benefit the Blues. However, both agreed that Lyon would punish any mistakes and make life difficult if given the chance.
In the pre-match press conference, Aymeric Laporte told his teammates to add fight to their meticulous preparations, pointing to Lyon's victory over City last season.
And sitting next to him, Pep Guardiola listed the threats Lyon will pose, warning his side that one lapse of concentration could see them exit the Champions League at the quarter final stage for the third season running.
As confident as City are, they are also completely aware they are facing a side who will relish the fact they are 90 minutes from a semi-final and know how to beat this Guardiola side.
City only need to look at the previous three quarter finals to see what will happen if they are not at their best, technically and mentally.
On Wednesday, PSG needed two late, late goals to progress against a spirited and stubborn Atalanta side.
Twenty-four hours later RB Leipzig beat Atletico Madrid thanks to a late goal of their own. For the second successive night, the underdog defended well, went ahead, and made their opposition work to get past them. On that occasion, the underdog held on.
And on Friday, there was no underdog between Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but Barca simply did not show up and were blitzed in a remarkable first half that saw a ruthless Bayern progress to face the winners of City vs Lyon.
And it's that ruthlessness that City must show on Saturday.
They must give Lyon no hope of scoring a goal on the counter attack and sitting back on it - just as Atalanta and Leipzig did. They must take their chances when they come and make sure they put the game beyond doubt if given the chance, like Bayern did so effectively.
City's players tell us they are ready to win the Champions League, and while they won't win the tournament by beating Lyon, they will show if they really do have the mentality to be kings of Europe or not.
If they don't heed their own warnings, and the mistakes of Atletico, PSG and Barcelona, they will have nobody to blame but themselves.
