Real Madrid cruise past Olympique Lyon to qualify for quarterfinals of UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid beat Olympique Lyon 3-0 in the second leg of the round of 16 fixture of the UEFA Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
With the win, Madrid have qualified for the quarterfinals after winning 4-1 on aggregate.
Jose Mourinho made two changes to his starting line-up that played in the first leg. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Karim-Benzema-c20350 and Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior respectively.
On the other hand, Lyon manager, Claude Puel also made two changes to his team from the first leg at the Stade Gerland. Lisandro Lopez and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jimmy-Briand-c18553 started upfront in a 4-4-2 formation.
Both teams started cautiously as the hosts enjoyed an early possession. Madrid could have scored in the fourth minute, when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-c23554 and Mesut Ozil played lovely passing among them, before the Brazilian’s headed effort was cleared and the rebound shot was
saved low down to his right by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Lloris-c16408.
Lyon’s first real chance came in the 21st minute. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Iker-Casillas-c16815 made a smart save down to his left.
Just before the hour mark, a lovely crossfield pass from Ozil found http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ronaldo-c31734, who forced Lloris into making a brilliant save.
Moments later, the Los Blancos took the lead through Marcelo in the 37th minute. The Brazilian played a lovely one-two with Ronaldo before calmly slotting his shot past Lloris to make it 1-0 for Madrid.
Madrid continued to pile up the pressure and dominated the proceedings. Just before the half time whistle, Benzema could have doubled the lead for the hosts but his headed goal was ruled out for offside.
The visitors made a change during the half time and Bafetimbi Gomis replaced Briand upfront.
The Los Blancos had several wonderful opportunities gone in vain throughout the first half. Moments after the resumption, Benzema and Ozil played several one-two’s before the German saw his shot deflected over the bar.
Madrid finally managed to double their lead in the 66th minute. Benzema ran onto a perfect long ball from Marcelo and finished it between the legs of Lloris to make it 2-0 for the hosts. The Frenchman picked up his second goal against his former
side in as many games.
Real were too good for the visitors as they continued the bombardment on the Lyon goal. In the 75th minute, Ozil played a lovely flick to find Angel Di Maria and the Argentinean finished with aplomb to seal the game at 3-0.
The draws for the quarterfinals will be announced on Friday, 18 March, 2011.
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