Football Fever

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Real Madrid Face Tough Task Against Lyon

19 Dec 2009
Real Madrid couldn't have drawn a tougher opponent as they look to break the curse of the first knockout round and qualify for the quarter finals after failing to do so for five years running. Lyon are the first obstacle in the way of Real Madrid's dream of winning their tenth European title at their home, the Santiago Bernabeu, come next May.

The Stade Gerland has been "hell" for Real Madrid as they have lost both their meetings there; What's worse is that they haven't managed to score a single goal there but have conceded five, 3-0 in 2005-06 and 2-0 in 2006-07.

Lyon go for a 4-5-1 with Hugo Lloris, the French international in goal and the defense consisting of Anthony Reveillere, Cris, Jean-Alain Boumsong, and Aly Cissokho. Their five man midfield consists of Jeremy Toulalan and Kim Kallstrom as holding midfielders, Miralem Pjanic as the creative spark in midfield, and Sidney Govou and Michel Bastos as right and left wingers respectively, with Lisandro Lopez as the lone striker.

Real Madrid also apply a 4-5-1 formation with Iker Casillas in goal, but the way that Manuel Pellegrini will line up his defence after Pepe being ruled out for the season remains a mystery. He's most likely to play Sergio Ramos, Ezequiel Garay, Raul Albiol, and Alvaro Arbeloa in defense.

Olympique Lyon just missed out on first place in Group E as Fiorentina managed to defeat Liverpool 2-1 on Matchday Six. Lyon won four of their matches, lost one and drew one securing 13 points, which quite interestingly is the same record as their opponents Real. Real Madrid secured qualification and topped Group C on Matchday 6 by beating Marseille at the Velodrome 1-3.

The defensive record of Real Madrid isn't as impressive as their scoring record as they conceded seven goals whereas their opponents have the second best defensive record with four shutouts and only three goals conceded, bettered only by FC Girondins de Bordeaux (two).

On paper Real Madrid's team looks the stronger of the two and more likely to go through to the quarterfinals, especially when Cristiano Ronaldo is playing, but as the saying goes, games aren't won on paper!