This is a really big match for two clubs that have underachieved in the knockout stages of the Champions League in recent years.
Real Madrid have been knocked out of the Champions League at this stage in each of the last five seasons, while Lyon have never been able to turn their domestic success into European glory.
Ronaldo is back and fit and scoring once again which has to worry Lyon. Even after spending hundreds of Euros this summer, Madrid is still only the second best team in Spain. But they seem to have recovered from an earlier season slump and I cannot see anyway that Madrid does nit win this tie over two legs. With Ronaldo, Kaka and Benzema they have too much power up front for Lyon to stop.
Team news
Lyon
Out: Anderson (knee, calf, shoulder), Mathieu Bodmer (groin), François Clerc (knee)
Doubtful: Anthony Réveillère (gastroenteritis)
Suspended:
Misses next match if booked: Lisandro, Miralem Pjanić
Madrid
Out: Christoph Metzelder (strained right calf), Pepe (torn knee ligaments), Jerzy Dudek (right knee), Guti (hernia, ankle), Rafael van der Vaart (groin)
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Marcelo, Lassana Diarra
Match Background
- Lyon beat Madrid on the last two occasions the clubs met in France (3-0, 2005/06 group stage; 2-0; 2006/07 group stage). Both games in Spain were drawn.
- Madrid have lost their last three two-legged contests with Ligue 1 opposition, against Monaco in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight both in the 1992/93 UEFA Cup and the 1993/94 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.