Karim Benzema’s goal against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 keeps Real Madrid’s Champions League hopes alive
Real Madrid FC striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AS-Real-c38478 Madrid faced Olympique Lyonnais in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg encounter. The former OL striker found the back of the net moments after coming
off the bench, as he replaced http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emmanuel-Adebayor-c12526 in the 65th minute. The away goal gives the advantage to Los Merengues, as the return leg will be played on 16 March at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
The French international striker was pleased to give his side the lead in the second half. The 23-year-old striker did not celebrated after scoring the goal as an act of respect towards his former club. The French international played 112 matches and
scored 43 goals for Lyon before moving to Los Blancos in 2009/10 season.
Benzema said, “My goal was important and made me very happy. I was very happy in Lyon and I could not celebrate the strike. All my teammates hugged me because the goal gave us the advantage in the tie. I am working to play more. The coach gave me 27
minutes of playing time and I responded on the pitch”
The French outfit maintain their unbeaten record intact against Los Blancos, as the La Liga giants have never beaten the Ligue 1 side in a European competition. Los Merengues manager, Jose Mourinho, will be hoping that his side emerge victorious in
front of their home crowd in the return leg.
Les Gones are optimistic about keeping their unbeaten record intact with a win at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, despite failing to conquer Los Blancos for the first time at Stade de Gerland. The home side looked more threatening on the pitch, as they
created more chances in the match. OL striker Bafetimbi Gomis missed a golden opportunity to give the home side lead in the 34th minute, but he failed to find the target.
Team manager, Claude Puel, was disappointed with the result, as his side failed to find the back of the net despite creating numerous opportunities. Puel will be hoping that his side performs better in the second leg encounter against Los Blancos and
emerge victorious.
Los Blancos are looking the favourites to go through for the next phase of the Europe’s most prestigious football tournament. Mourinho will be looking to guide his side to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, as his side has not passed the Round
of 16 for the last six seasons. However, it has been seen in the past that Les Gones lift their game in the big matches. OL fans will be hoping that their beloved side can claim a good result and qualify to the next phase of Champions League.
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