Real madrid prepare for Bernabeu moment of truth
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Real Madrid face the moment of truth this Wednesday night when they entertain Olympique Lyon on the second leg of their last sixteen Champions League clash.
Real Madrid are looking to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in seven years, although this year they are favorites to get the better of the French outfit.
A Karim Benzema goal in Lyon three weeks ago gave Madrid a 1-1 draw and a vital away goal. That means that a 0-0 draw would be enough to see Madrid into the last eight and that Lyon are obliged to score in the Bernabeu if they are to make progress.
Benzema is the form player at Madrid at the moment after scoring four goals in his last two appearances. He is also full of confidence and looking forward to once again facing his former club.
Mesut Ozil has also been outstanding for Madrid and the German has played well enough to ensure that Kaka' s Real Madrid career looks to be coming to an end.
However, most attention will be on whether or not Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the starting 11 on Wednesday night. The Portuguese international missed Madrid' s last two games with a hamstring injury, but should have recovered in time for this key game.
The only doubt is that with a Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid on Saturday night, whether Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho could be tempted to start the game with Ronaldo on the subs' bench in order to avoid any risk of a relapse.
Meanwhile central defenders Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho will return to the Madrid starting 11, pushing Sergio Ramos out to right back, while Xabi Alonso will return in central midfield after resting on Saturday.
Lyon travel with hopes of causing an upset and the side coached by Claude Puel will be looking for striker Lisandro Lopez to lead the line. A well organized side, Lyon will also look from inspiration from attacking midfielder Yoann Gourcuff as well as the usual workrate from Jeremy Toulanan.
Last season saw the French side draw 1-1 in the Bernabeu to knock Madrid out of the competition. The same result this time around would merely serve to provoke extra time.
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