Real Madrid come into the ''Lyon''s den at Stade de Gerland to face their familiar and almost yearly foe, l'Olympique Lyonnais., on Wednesday November 2nd (7:45 GMT. 3:45 EST).
Lyon Vs. Real Madrid, 2011 UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 Preview: The “Lyon” sleeps tonight?
The Champions League is back with Real Madrid going to Stade de Gerland to take on l’Olympique Lyonnais. Can “Les Gones” survive the “Merengues” offensive armada?
Getty Images
Real Madrid arrives in France as La Liga's new leaders after beating Real Sociedad 1-0, the lone goal scored by in-form Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain. L'Olympique Lyonnais are coming off an-always difficult derby by beating St-Etienne 1-0. It was a game in which they exhibited great mental toughness playing most of the second half down one man.
After crushing Lyon 4-0 , Real Madrid has a five point cushion in their group and will look for the three points, which will clinch a spot in the round of 16if Ajax fail to get three points in their match. Meanwhile, L'Olympique Lyonnais are third in the group and tied in points with Ajax, but with a worse goal difference. The French hosts will be looking for three points so as not to be distanced by the Dutch club, who are playing the last team of their group, Dinamo Zagreb.
A couple interesting points that any l’Olympique Lyonnais fan needs to know:
- Real Madrid have never beaten Lyon at Stade Gerland, but this statistic does not take into account the Jose Mourinho factor
- Without Aly Cissokho and Michel Bastos, Lyon is without its whole left flank that provided 75% of their goals : who will feed Bafétimbi Gomis?
- Real Madrid has La Liga's best attack with 32 goals in 8 games and the best attack in its Champions League group. With an injury-free and excellent Cristiano Ronaldo and a resurging Kaka, how can Lyon avoid a heavy loss?
Olympique Lyonnais ( 4-3-3 ): Hugo Lloris; Anthony Reveillere, Bakary Koné, Dejan Lovren; Kim Källström, Yoann Gourcuff, Gueïda Fofana; Jimmy Briand, Bafétimbi Gomis
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Iker Casillas; Álvaro Arbeloa , Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira; Cristiano Ronaldo, Ángel di María , Kaka; Karim Benzema .
With a weakened team that will fill out its gaps with young players, L’Olympique Lyonnais has no chance in beating Real Madrid even with a Yoann Gourcuff version 2008-2009. Real Madrid is full of offensive talent able to make a difference on an individual level and on teamwork with an efficient Jose Mourinho at the helm. I expect a 1-3 score with Hugo Lloris keeping his team in the game for as long as humanly possible.
See More:
