Lyon players to watch out for in the Champions League encounter against Real Madrid
One of the most recent UEFA Champions League rivalries would be renewed when nine-time UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid host French giants http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 at the Santiago Bernabéu in a Group D encounter of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
In recent years, Olympique Lyonnais have been Real Madrid’s bane in the UEFA Champions League. The two heavyweights are locking horns for the third consecutive time. In the 2009/2010 round of 16, Les Gones defeated Real Madrid thanks to a late http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miralem-Pjanic-c25984 goal while last season, it was Real Madrid who came out victorious in the round of 16.
However, Lyon are in much better form than they were last season. Les Gones are now unbeaten in 23 games at home and have a squad that can certainly push Jose Mourinho’s men to the limits.
The likes of Clement Grenier, Maxime Gonalons and B. Kone have risen to the occasions and are proving to be the players who would reshape Lyon’s history in the coming years.
Bettor.com takes a look at the players who will play an important role for Remi Garde’s side that is looking to once again get the better of a Real Madrid side that has slowly started getting more united under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.
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The French shot stopper has been a vital member of the Lyon side in recent seasons and time and time again proved his worth to the side. Courted by some of the top clubs in Europe, the 24-year-old’s ability to lead the backline and organising the defenders is being considered as one of the main reasons why Lyon have such an excellent defensive record this season. His abilities would certainly be tested against a Real Madrid side that is boasting the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ronaldo-c31734, former Lyon striker Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil.
Maxime Gonalons
The 22-year-old defensive midfielder is the product of Lyon’s excellent youth academy, the Tola Vologe. The youngster was first introduced to the Lyon first-team last season. This season, the Frenchman has become an integral part of the starting XI and is already catching the eye of European heavyweights including Real Madrid whose Sporting Director, Zinedine Zidane is a great admirer of the youngster.
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The Brazilian international recently signed a new deal with the Rhone giants and has made a great start to the 2011/2012 campaign. The 28-year-old was linked with a move to Juventus this summer but is now 100% committed to the club. the winger’s excellent dribbling ability and the desire to take on defences would be a major threat for the Real Madrid backline.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yoann-Gourcuff-c37416
The former Bordeaux man has only recently made a comeback from an ankle injury and might not play the whole 90 minutes against Real Madrid. However, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 international’s technical ability and vision would be something the likes of Bafetimbi Gomis would be looking for.
Bafetimbi Gomis
The former AS Saint-Etienne striker is currently in the form of his life and would surely be looking to add to his ever-growing goal tally this season. Since the arrival of Remi Garde as the club’s new coach, the Frenchman has been in great form and has already scored eight goals in 12 games this season. Though his abilities will be tested against a strong Madrid defence, the Frenchman should be expected to create something out of the rare half chances that his team will get at the Spanish capital.
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