CL Preview: Real Madrid – Olympique Lyonnais

Posted Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by Goal.com

Olympique Lyon,Real Madfid

Kick Off: Wednesday, March 10, 2010. 20:45 CET
Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

On A High

Incredibly, it’s been six years since Real Madrid last savoured the atmosphere that a Champions League quarter-final can bring, and los Blancos stand on the precipice of an early exit again this term, having lost their first leg encounter against Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 in France.

History is firmly against Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who have previously tackled les Gones on five occasions but have yet to record a solitary victory. Three times from three matches at Stade Gerland they have lost, while at the Bernabeu a couple of draws is all they have been able to muster. A tied encounter would be of little use to los Blancos on Wednesday night.

Destiny, on the other hand, is surely in favour of los Merengues. With nine Champions League titles already in the vault, the illusive tenth is considered by many to be close. With this season’s final being played at the Bernabeu, president Florentino Perez has channelled much of his energy to ensuring that it is a night to remember for those camped in the white half of Madrid.

If there were any doubts over the character of Pellegrini’s charges, these were surely dispelled over the weekend, when los Merengues staged a memorable comeback from 2-0 down against Sevilla to record a 3-2 success, vaulting over Barcelona to the summit of La Primera Division in the process.

With the wind in their sails, los Blancos will feel confident ahead of Wednesday’s encounter.

Resolute

While Real Madrid were mounting a thrilling comeback against fellow Champions League hopefuls Sevilla, Lyon were finding life somewhat more uncomfortable in the north of France, where they were held to a disappointing scoreless draw against relegation threatened Boulogne-Sur-Mer.

Worryingly for OL, they did not even look the better side against a unit who sit second from bottom of Le Championnat, and who have not record a league victory of any sort since 2009. Prior to the game, left-back Aly Cissokho told the press that it would be natural for les Gones to be distracted by their upcoming trip to Spain, and it certainly seemed that they were.

Lyon didn’t lose though, and they’ve been immensely difficult to break down since the turn of the year, defeated only twice in 13 fixtures. Indeed, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has kept six consecutive clean sheets, totalling an impressive 620 minutes without leaking a goal.

Claude Puel’s side have reason for optimism as they have not lost by more than one goal since a humiliating reverse away to Nice back in October, and it would take a defeat of such magnitude to eliminate them on Wednesday.

However, they went to Barcelona last season with a 1-1 draw in their back pockets from the first leg only to be hammered 5-2 in the return, so there will be no counting of chickens.

FORM GUIDE

Real Madrid

WON 3-2 (h) Sevilla (Liga, March 6)

WON 5-1 (a) Tenerife (Liga, February 27)

WON 6-2 (h) Villarreal (Liga, February 21)

LOST 1-0 (a) Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League, February 16)

WON 3-0 (a) Xerez (Liga, February 13)

Lyon

DREW 0-0 (a) Boulogne-Sur-Mer (Ligue 1, March 6)

WON 2-0 (h) Nice (Ligue 1, February 27)

WON 4-0 (a) Sochaux (Ligue 1, February 21)

WON 1-0 (h) Real Madrid (Champions League, February 16)

WON 1-0 (h) Racing Club de Lens (Ligue 1, February 13)

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Karim Benzema has failed to overcome a hernia problem and will miss the midweek encounter, as well as Real’s weekend fixture against Valladolid. Royston Drenthe is fighting a muscle tear, while Pepe is a long-term absentee. In addition to these issues, Xabi Alonso and Marcelo are suspended.

Probable Starting XI: Casillas; Ramos, Albiol, Garay, Arbeloa; Lass, Guti, Granero; Kaka; Ronaldo, Higuain

Lyon

Claude Puel doesn’t have any massive selection issues, though there has been a little concern voiced over the fitness of Aly Cissokho. The left-back picked up a slight problem against Boulogne at the weekend but should be fit to play from the outset.

Francois Clerc and Cleber Anderson are still injured, and Dejan Lovren is ineligible. Brazil international Michel Bastos pulled out of this tie on Monday night.

Puel will reinstate Lisandro Lopez, Cesar Delgado and Jeremy Toulalan to the side after all three were allowed a breather on the bench at the weekend.

Probable Starting XI: Lloris; Reveillere, Cris, Boumsong, Cissokho; Toulalan, Makoun; Govou, Pjanic, Delgado; Lisandro

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Madrid

There are countless big game players at the Bernabeu, but Lassana Diarra will have a vital role to play. One of Gonzalo Higuain, Kaka or Cristiano Ronaldo is almost sure to fire, which means that the only worry will be shutting OL out. Diarra’s dogged presence in the heart of the midfield was missed in the first game, and his ball-winning abilities on Wednesday should aid his side massively.

Lyon

Visiting goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has been favourably compared in style to opposing number Iker Casillas and will need to be in the same ballpark as the great Spaniard if OL are to progress. An onslaught is expected for los Blancos, and it is the former Nice shot stopper who is sure to feel the brunt of it. In big matches against Liverpool and the Republic of Ireland, for club and country respectively, he has shone, but this is arguably the biggest night of his career to date.

PREDICTION

If les Gones can defend in the defiant manner they managed in the first leg, their hosts could be in for a really tough time. Lyon’s pressing game caused los Blancos all kinds of problems at Stade Gerland, but whether they can subdue the Galacticos for once again is certainly up for debate. Real are flying after their weekend victory and will be confident of overturning the deficit, though an away goal could completely alter the tie.

Real Madrid 3-1 Olympique Lyonnais