CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIRST KNOCK-OUT ROUND, SECOND LEG/Real Madrid v Lyon:CRISTIANO RONALDO has branded tonight's Champions League last-16 return leg against Lyon at the Bernabeu a "do-or-die" affair. Big-spending Madrid have failed to reach the quarter-finals in each of the past five seasons and need to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit if they are to buck that trend.
Ronaldo’s arrival at Madrid for a world-record €88 million fee last summer epitomised the extraordinary lengths Madrid are prepared to go to in the pursuit of success, and failure to improve on the efforts of recent campaigns would be viewed in a dim light in the Spanish capital. But the Portugal winger, a Champions League winner with Manchester United in 2008, insists Madrid have what it takes to progress.
“Wednesday’s match is do-or-die,” said Ronaldo, the competition’s top scorer this season with six goals. “We are playing very good football and we have proven we are the strongest team in La Liga. We are familiar with Lyon. They are a strong team, physically speaking, but it’s our turn to play at home. I am convinced this team will respond and we will make it through to the next round.”
Manuel Pellegrini’s side failed to find top gear in the first leg at Stade Gerland but their form in La Liga has been much different, with Saturday’s 3-2 win over Sevilla sparking delirium at the Bernabeu and taking Madrid to the top of the table.
Defender Sergio Ramos revealed the Madrid camp is high on confidence following a run of seven straight league wins, and offered a confident prediction regarding the final result tonight.
“The team is very upbeat. We can win La Liga and the Champions League. We are lucky that we control our own destiny,”
Ramos said. “Lyon will fall back to defend, close their lines and try to prevent us from finding room to work with. We will try to move the ball around quickly so that the field opens up and we can find open spaces. This kind of match motivates all players involved because there is so much at stake. We are going to win 3-0 and the fans are going to enjoy watching.”
Madrid have concerns over the fitness of Karim Benzema, meaning Gonzalo Higuain should get the nod up front, while Xabi Alonso and Marcelo are suspended and Royston Drenthe is a doubt. Guti is set to return to the team but the loss of Alonso will be keenly felt by the hosts. “When a player like Xabi Alonso plays so frequently, he can be missed,” Ramos added. “He is our brain because he moves the team in the midfield.”
Lyon have injury problems with Brazil international Michel Bastos ruled out with a muscle strain. The dead-ball specialist has not been named in coach Claude Puel’s 20-man travelling party, although Lyon have taken a punt on the fitness of top scorer Lisandro Lopez (foot) and left back Aly Cissokho (ankle). Francois Clerc and Cleber Anderson are still injured but midfielder Cesar Delgado should feature after making his comeback from a two-game absence against Boulogne at the weekend.
Lyon midfielder Miralem Pjanic said: “To play at Madrid in front of so many spectators is magnificent, a dream for all players. But we’ll have to be warriors, to fight to the end and keep them from developing their game and scoring that goal they need.”
Visiting skipper Cris insists his team will not be overawed by the task facing them, with Lyon riding high on an eight-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1 that has taken them up to third place in the standings.
“This is nothing more than a match between 22 players and their stars do not worry us more than necessary,” he said. “It’s all about believing.”
