Lyonnais vs Real Madrid preview - Ozil issues Lyon warning

Posted Wednesday, November 02, 2011 by PA

In-form Real Madrid can secure their spot in the next phase of the Champions League when they take on Lyon - but playmaker Mesut Ozil is not expecting it to be easy at Stade Gerland.

Madrid are the only side still boasting a 100% record at the midway point of the group stages and their 4-0 mauling of Lyon in the last round of matches left them five points clear of both the French side and Ajax at the top of Group D.

That means another victory on Wednesday would secure Madrid's place in the knockout stages with two games to spare, and the manner in which Jose Mourinho's men swept aside Lyon a fortnight ago bodes well for the nine-time European champions.

However, Ozil expects Lyon to provide a different challenge in front of their own fans, saying: "At home they are stronger and they play with more confidence in themselves. As well as that, they usually play in a more aggressive manner."

The German international has faith his side can come out on top again though, adding on www.bwin.com: "We have a lot of world stars such as (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Karim) Benzema, Kaka and (Angel) Di Maria. We want to score a lot of goals and return to Madrid with the three points under our belts."

Madrid make the trip to France on the back of an eight-game winning streak in all competitions, during which they have scored 29 goals and conceded just three.

They have also yet to let in a goal in their three Champions League matches - the only side to boast such a record in the eight groups.

However, they must do without several players with Kaka, Marcelo and Alvaro Arbeloa joining Ricardo Carvalho and Nuri Sahin on the touchlines due to injuries.

Lyon's defeat at the Bernabeu left them third in Group D, but level on points with second-placed Ajax and four clear of bottom club Dinamo Zagreb.

The French club, who have made it through to the knockout stage in each of the past eight seasons, also have their injury problems though and the likes of Lisandro, Remy Vercroutre, Anthony Lopes, Jeremy Pied, Michel Bastos, John Mensah, Aly Cissokho and Yannis Tafer might all be missing for Remi Garde's men.

Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis admits his side can have few complaints about the defeat at the Bernabeu but hopes for better this time.

He told www.uefa.com: "I think they fully deserved it (win at Bernabeu) and the game wasn't even close, but I don't think the gulf is as wide as it seemed over there.

"So now it's up to us to show our pride and belief, and to start well because I don't think it was a decisive game, it hasn't jeopardised our chances of getting through but now we need to be competitive and get at least a point in order to keep on moving towards qualification."