There’s more UEFA Champions League football tonight as the Round of 16 first-leg matches continue with two of the trophy favourites Real Madrid and Chelsea in action this evening.
Olympique Lyonnais v Real Madrid @ Stade Gerland’
Group stage French giants Lyon made their way into the round of 16 after finishing second in Group B. Lyon flew out of the blocks, winning their first three matches, with Michel Bastos> a star, before easing off the gas with one point from their final three matches proving enough to progress. Worryingly they conceded 10 goals in the group stage, but it’s hard to read to much into that form given they’d basically sealed their progress after the first three games.
Spanish giants Real Madrid had few problems on their way to winning Group G with 16 points. Worth noting is their only dropped point came on the road at AC Milan, so Lyon can take some heart from that. But Real conceded only twice in the group stage, scoring 15 of their own, with ex-Lyon man Karim Benzema to enjoy this tie. The Spaniards loom as major threats for the trophy.
Form Before anything, it’s worth remembering Lyon knocked out Real at this stage of the Champions League last term. Of course, a lot has changed since then including Jose Mourinho heading to the Santiago Bernabeu, but it will add some flavour to the tie.
Onto Lyon’s domestic form, Les Gones are currently fourth in Ligue 1, but are very much in the title hunt as they are only four points behind leaders Lille. Lyon haven’t won Ligue 1 since 2008 so they are very much aiming for silverware this term. After a sluggish start to the league campaign, they’ve lost just once in their past 17 Ligue 1 matches with Lyonnais:Bafetimbi Gomis> scoring plenty of goals.
Lyon have lost just once at home in Ligue 1 this term, but their away form isn’t as impressive, recording just four wins on the road. They are on of the topscoring clubs in France, but have conceded 24 goals in 24 games which is a worry.
Real Madrid’s domestic form is fantastic but they are still second in La Liga, due to Barcelona’s extraordinary exploits. Real are five points behind Barca, despite an incredible record of 19-3-2. They’ve scored a staggering 55 goals from 24 games, just conceding 19. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the way with 24 strikes.
Los Merengues have claimed 12 wins from 12 games at home in La Liga this term so they’ll fancy the return leg. Their only league slip-ups have been on the road, meaning their clash in Lyon will be of utmost importance.
Team news The bad news for Lyon is key striker Lisandro Lopez will miss this game after pulling a hamstring in training last week and his absence is a major blow given his European record. Yoann Gourcuff and Cesar Delgado should both be fit after spells on the sidelines with injury, while Ederson is close to a return after a thigh problem.
We know striker Gonzalo Higuain is out injured, but there’s a further blow for Real with Pepe sitting out the weekend clash with Levante due to a calf injury but he could still play. Brazilian midfielder Kaka will be fit after a knee injury.
Coaches Claude Puel: “I don’t know if Madrid are stronger than last season. They’re different, perhaps a bit better balanced thanks to some hard workers in the midfield. Either way they’re still a team made up of players of great quality. Our aim is to qualify for the next round. Last year, few people believed in us. We managed to raise our game and maybe it surprised Madrid.”
Jose Mourinho: “It’s been six years since Madrid reached the quarter-finals. When I was at Inter, the club hadn’t won the Champions League for more than 50 years. Is it possible to do it this year? We have to beat Lyon.”
Sports Pundit prediction; Olympique Lyon 0-2 Real Madrid
FC Kobenhavn v Chelsea> @ Parken Stadion
Group stage Danish champions Kobenhavn were the surprise packets of the group stage, qualifying through Group D in second ahead of Rubin Kazan and Panathinaikos, but behind Barcelona. Wins home and away against Panathinaikos and a home draw with Barca were the key to their progression. Unbeaten at home in the group stage, they’ll take some comfort from that ahead of the Chelsea first-leg.
English champions Chelsea cruised through Group F in fairly simple circumstances, easily winning their first five group matches before taking their foot of the pedal to lose 1-0 at Marseille in their final match. Fourteen goals in five games was crucial to their success, with Nicolas Anelka scoring five of those.
Form FCK haven’t played a single competitive game in 2011 due to the lengthy Danish winter break, but manager Stale Solbakken insists the players are in good shape as they’ve set themselves for this game for a long time. They’ve had some pleasing recent friendly wins over Rosenborg (5-0) and Elfsborg (2-0).
The Lions’ league form is outstanding too, sitting 19 points clear in the Danish Superliga after 19 games. FCK’s record is 16-3-0, with Copenhagen:Cesar Santin> and Dame N’Doye scoring 13 goals each, but the Champions League is a different story.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have played plenty of football recently, but it’s been hardly positive, bowing out of the FA Cup on the weekend, while manager Carlo Ancelotti conceded they couldn’t win the Premiership title either after last week’s goalless draw at Fulham.
The Blues are fifth in England, 12 points behind leaders Manchester United. Their home form is still strong, but not what it once was, while topscorer Didier Drogba appears out of form, along with Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka and new man Fernando Torres.
Team news There’s no major concerns for FCK, although Martin Bergvold could return after some impressive form in recent friendlies. Bergvold has not played in a competitive match since injuring his knee in August.
New signing David Luiz is ineligible after playing in the ECL for Benfica, but fellow acquisition Fernando Torres is available for selection. Alex and Yossi Benayoun are certain absentees due to long-term injuries.
Coaches Stale Solbakken: “We will try to control the game, keep possession, create chances and try to exploit any eventual Chelsea errors. Chelsea are not in the best of form at the moment, but I feel they have played better than their results showed in their last couple of games. The crowd’s belief in us will be a great help. I hope we will win, but a scoreless draw will not be a bad result for us.”
Carlo Ancelotti: “The Champions League is the most important competition for us right now. We’re under a lot of pressure, but even though things recently have not gone as planned, the players’ behaviour has been fantastic. This is football – you can’t always stay on top, but if we have patience we can turn this around. It could still be a great season.”
Sports Pundit prediction; FC Kobenhavn 1-2 Chelsea