The game marks the 50^th anniversary of the Dubai-based club and coincides with the Slashers’ celebrations of their third national league silverware, will be preceded by special shows to be performed by folklore and police bands.

Lyon’s manager Alain Perrin who spent few months coaching Al Ain Sports Club in 2004, said he is pleased to be back, pointing out that his European players will find out how their opponents deserve respect.

“We will suffer as their players are technically strong and quick, and, even if they are not as strong as their European counterparts, they are good footballers. My players are going to find this out. If you add to that the heat on Friday isn’t going to be favourable for a walk in the park. Juninho doesn’t add much more when he confides that, whilst remaining concentrated and respectful for the opposition, the players want to enjoy the Double that they won,” he was quoted as saying.

Perrin said Al Shabab’s skipper Salem Saad wants to swap shirts with Juninho, but the Brazilian may not start the game.

“We’ll see how he is fitness wise. We’ll see what role he could play in the team. He should play some part in the game; depending on the circumstances. We’ll see how long he can stay on. But we have also brought with us a bunch of young players from the academy and it would be good to see them play. In any case, we’ll be putting out the best team possible in honour of this game,” he said.

Lyon completed a memorable first league-cup double when they beat Paris Saint Germain 1-0 in the French Cup final to add to their seventh successive championship.

Lyon’s fourth French Cup, coming after wins in 1964, 1967 and 1973, was fittingly secured by Sidney Govou who scored the extra-time winner.

Govou, goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and Brazilian playmaker Juninho are the only three players who have featured in all of Lyon’s seven league title campaigns.

“This was a great way to pay homage to ‘Juni’, ‘Sid’ and Greg who won all seven titles and who might perhaps now leave for other clubs.

“To win two consecutive cups (they beat Sochaux in the final last year) is not a simple thing to do and it was good for the club who expected to win the double,” said Lyon coach Alain Perrin of the trio.

Perrin has also denied rumours that he’s leaving Lyon saying he came to Lyon to stay.