Champions League: Real Madrid Looking to Make Example of Lyon, Pass Round Of 16

MADRID, SPAIN—Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho will have his hands full with the Champions League series against Lyon. Los Merengues have been eliminated in this stage of the Champions League for the past six seasons, including last year's exit against Lyon.

In last year's edition of the Champions League final 16, Lyon passed Real Madrid on a 2-1 aggregate. Madrid started by losing in France 1-0 on a Makoun 47' goal putting them on their backs in the series heading back to Spain. Then an early 6' minute goal by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real hope. Later in the game, defensive troubles overshadowed Real's form and Pjanic knocked in the away goal around the 74' minute. 

The Special One had a very different campaign with his former club Inter Milan. Not only taking Internazionale out of the first round, but winning his second Champions League honor against Bayern Munich. 

Mourinho has assured Madrid fans, "I am not losing any sleep over Lyon. Since the day of the draw I have worked with my team to find out all the details about Lyon. We also have Zidane, who knows them very well."

In November of 2010, former French footballer was named an adviser for Real Madrid when Jose Mourinho suggested he work more closely with his former team. Zinedine Zidane works various events and travels with the team on a regular basis and has been giving the team inside information about the team from his native country. 

This past weekend Real Madrid found success against Levante as Mourinho stretched his unbeaten league home streak to nine full years. Real Madrid have won all twelve of their home matches this year as well as all three home matches in the Champions League.

Away from the Bernabéu, Los Blancos have dropped twelve points in La Liga by tying three matches and losing two. Away from home in the Champions League, Real Madrid beat Auxerre and Ajax only tying at the San Siro against AC Milan.

Lyon are a different story this year. While they are sitting in fourth place in the French Ligue 1, they've managed seven wins, five draws, and a loss at home in the Stade de Gerland.

This past weekend, Lyon found success again against AS Nancy winning 4-0. Finding their offense weapons they got goals from Gourcuff, Pied, Pjanic, and Briand.

In their away fixtures, they have been very inconsistent with four wins, three draws, and four losses. In the Champions League they won three matches, tied two, and lost won overall. While not losing at home in the beginning stages, they never managed to reach full-form potential. 

In wake of the clash between Olympique Lyonnais and Real Madrid, Mourinho rested Adebayor, Ozil, and Xabi Alonso. In a surprise, Cristiano Ronaldo played a full game as he claimed to be feeling good and being in a good physical standpoint. Frenchman Karim Benzema also played and scored the opening goal against Levante and seems ready to go against Lyon.

Lyon will be without Lisandro Lopez and will have Ederson disposable. Gourcuff, Grenier, and Delgado are all fit and ready to play. Dejan and Bastos are both one yellow card away from suspension.

Madrid had Pepe sit out with a sore calf this weekend and Higuain is expected to miss the rest of the season. Kaka, Gago, and Dudek have all recovered from knocks to return to the pitch. Ronaldo and Albiol are in jeopardy of suspension if they are booked.

Real Madrid is comfortable and confident that they can get revenge on Lyon and go far in the elimination stages of the UEFA Champions League. Although it's going to be a difficult match for both teams, if Madrid play well and to their full capability, they will pass this round and shake off the six year curse on their backs. 

The game will be played in Stade de Gerland in Lyon, refereed by German Wolfgang Stark on Tuesday, February 22.