When was the last time Real Madrid made it through to the Quarter final of the Champions League ? Right, you probably cannot remember. Its now been six, yes six years since the former European powerhouse appeared in the last eight of Europe’s prestigious club tournament and coming into tonight’s game on the back of a 1-0 deficit, coach Manuel Pellegrini will make sure his quarter of a billion Euro stars see off Lyon.
With Ronaldo firing on all cylinders and Kaka back to scoring ways,you will have to be insane not to consider a Madrid progression. Another important factor that we should not forget is that the final will be staged in Real’s Santiago Bernebeu Stadium. If that is not enough motivation for them to ensure their spot in the final, then they should consider stocking up on tickets for the finals because the crowd stands is as close as they will get to the coveted trophy.
Madrid’s 3-2 win over Sevilla on Saturday not only catapulted them to the top of the La Liga standings but it also gave los Merengues a much needed psychological boost ahead of their game with Lyon tonight. Real have won 16 of their 17 homegames this season their only defeat coming from Milan in the group stages of this tournament.
It won’t be hard for Real to overturn Lyon’s slender 1-0 advantage. With players like Raul, Ronaldo, Kaka, Higuain and Benzema in the squad, Madrid are assured of a couple of goals. Madrid however will miss the services of Xabi Alonso and Marcelo who are suspended for this fixture. Pellegrini can breathe a sigh of relief as Guti and Van De Vaart will be available.
Lyon also have a few worries of their own. Ahly Cissokho and summer signing Lisandro Lopez are in a tight race to beat the fitness clock. Michel Bastos is however out of this fixture. A 0-0 draw for Lyon on Saturday against lowly Buologne further compounds their woes.
Lyon’s undoing will be to play a defensive game. They will definitely be inviting trouble upon themselves. That said, i see Madrid winning this fixture withou much of a hustle. My prediction, 3-0 to Madrid.
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