Preview: Real Madrid vs Lyon

After six years falling in the last-16 round is impossible not to feel a slight uneasiness. It is true that Real Madrid, in each of these disastrous antecedents, was forced to recover from a defeat. And now is different. By the tie of the first leg, the general feeling and also by the overwhelming statistics. Real have won the 21 games at the Bernabeu this season, fourteen times without conceding a goal. And Mourinho adds 150 games without losing at home. Too many merits to imagine a catastrophe.

Real Madrid hopes to celebrate a victory against Lyon

In addition, Cristiano will play the game; 40 goals in 44 games season (with Madrid and the national team) Yesterday, he trained with the group and will play today although with some discomfort. Caution is a word that is not in his vocabulary and Mourinho will not discuss the pulses. Fans will follow very closely the developments of his left hamstring.

More changes in the rest of the lineup. Marcelo retains his position (in France played Arbeloa) and Khedira will put steel in midfield. Above, Benzema will be the only reference. A real reference (three doubles in a row) and symbolic (dreaded and beloved son of Olympique).

Lyon will attack that mountain. French team does it with the confidence of those players who emerged victorious a year ago, so fear is not among their ailments. Gourcuff will play, who in recent days seemed to recover from a shot and really only lost a nail. But this is not the name of concern. Lisandro is the man; one of those forwards that mix playfulness and talent (four goals in the last two games). Delgado also, another dose of Argentinian blood.They will be the edge of a team without Gomis, the scorer of the French goal at Gerland.

However, the mood of the visitor is its greatest danger: 7 matches unbeaten, a wins and 1 draw in its last 5 games, 16 goals for and 2 against. And a tip: while in Real Madrid only three players repeat from the last-16 second leg of the last year (Casillas, Ramos and Cristiano) in Lyon will return to play seven: Loris, Reveillere, Cris, Cissokho, Toulalan, Delgado and Lisandro. The base of the team that reached the semifinals in 2010.

The event is high rank. If Real Madrid goes to the quarter-finals, will be freed of a great weight. Otherwise look so gloomy that is not covered. Real Madrid has to win.