Lyon vs Real Madrid preview - Ronaldo targets Lyon revenge

Posted Tuesday, February 22, 2011 by PA

Cristiano Ronaldo is in confident mood as Real Madrid look to exorcise the ghosts of recent failures and reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in seven years.

Madrid travel to Lyon for the first leg of their last-16 tie in fine domestic form but with plenty to prove on the European stage after years of disappointment.

In each of the last six editions of the Champions League the big-spending Spanish giants have fallen at this same first knock-out stage, including a 2-1 aggregate loss to Lyon last season.

That was a particularly painful exit for Madrid - who have lost on each of their previous three visits to Lyon - as last year's final was held at their Bernabeu stadium, but Ronaldo is optimistic things will be turn out better this season.

"This year we are going to beat them (Lyon), God willing. This year is going go be totally different," said Ronaldo, highlighting the Jose Mourinho influence.

Mourinho last season let Inter Milan to the Champions League title to become only the third manager to conquer Europe with two separate clubs.

"The coach has a lot of experience and he knows what to do to win," Ronaldo, who was a European champion with Manchester United in 2008, told AS.

"We'll go out onto the pitch knowing that Lyon are a very difficult team, but I'm convinced that this year we are finally going to reach the quarter-finals."

Madrid have enjoyed a good start to life under the hugely successful Mourinho, who has guided the club into the final of the Copa del Rey and has won 30 of 38 competitive matches, losing just three. In La Liga they are five points behind leaders Barcelona.

Ronaldo has played a key role in that, scoring 34 goals in all competitions, including 24 in 24 games in La Liga.

That form is sure to be put Ronaldo in the running for the Ballon d'Or, although the Portugal international insists he would rather help Madrid win a record 10th European Cup crown.

"I'm doing well at Real Madrid, but I still haven't won anything. Helping the team win titles is what I most want," he said.

"If you said to me, 'Cristiano, here you have the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or, what do you prefer?' I'd go with the European Cup.

"There are guys here in this squad who don't know what it's like to win a Champions League. Thank God I've won one and it's the best. You work all year with the hope of winning something important.

"I'm going to fight with all my strength to win a Champions League with Madrid."

Mourinho has named a 22-man travelling squad for the trip to France, with Argentina duo Gonzalo Higuain (injury) and Fernando Gago (omitted) the only players missing.

Up front, former Lyon striker Karim Benzema boosted his chances of a starting berth with a goal in Saturday's 2-0 league win over Levante, although loan signing Emmanuel Adebayor is also an option.

Lyon, who reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season after knocking out Madrid, warmed up for the clash with a 4-0 win over Nancy in Ligue 1 on Friday night.

Brazilian midfielder Ederson has not been included in Claude Puel's Lyon squad after only recently returning from a hamstring injury which kept him out for most of the season, while Argentinian striker Lisandro Lopez also remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris should return between the posts, though, after missing the Nancy victory due to a cold.

Despite last season's success over Madrid, Lloris believes his side will once again be underdogs this time around but is confident they will give a good account of themselves.

The 24-year-old told L'Equipe: "If everybody plays to his true level, we will see the beautiful Lyon.

"Faced with a great team like Real, we know that by giving 200% we are not even sure of the result. They are a favourite for the Champions League. And we are an obstacle for Real. We hope to cause an upset."