Real Madrid announced its return to the Champions League with authority today, defeating Olympique Lyonnais 3-0 in a vintage performance. Madrid’s superior skill was the story of the match. They were simply too talented and too determined for the French visitors to handle, with footwork and passing that at times made it look like there were 4 Leo Messi clones in white shirts on the pitch at once.
Madrid had clearly established the upper hand midway through the first half as they began to dominate possession and field position. There hard work was rewarded in the 38th minute when Marcelo opened the scoring after a great run, a one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo on the edge of the box, and a couple brilliant cut backs which had Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris going to wrong way, and all he could do was nudge the ball on its way into the net. Marcelo almost contributed in another goal when Karim Benzema had a shot tipped over the bar. Benzema then had one properly called back seconds later for offside. By halftime, Madrid was clearly the dominant side.
After the break, Claude Puel tried to invigorate his Lyon side by bringing on Bafétimbi Gomis, the striker who pulled Lyon level in the first leg. At first the move seemed to work, as Lyon got two chances right off which required interventions by “San” Iker in the Madrid net. The game leveled out, and while possession may have been more or less even Madrid had by far the better quality and field position.
In the last half hour, Madrid’s stars really began to shine. Around the hour mark, Benzema was softly pushed down in the box but no penalty was given. In the 66th minute Marcelo tried a long ball to Özil which did not connect, but as the ball flew over the German in landed in the path of the onrushing Benzema, who found the net with a cool one-on-one finish to score his 6th goal in his last 7 matches. The celebration was on for Madrid, as Benzema almost netted a third two minutes later. This euphoria was brought crashing back to earth as Lyon once again took the game to Madrid and almost scored twice.
Five minutes later Emmanuel Adebayor came on to replace the largely ineffective and possibly still injured Ronaldo. Lyon maintained the attack until the 76th minute when a Casillas goal kick flew over Ade’s head, hitting near Özil, who headed it backwards perfectly into the path of Di Maria, who finished with ease. After this it became clear that Lyon had conceded defeat and equally clear that Madrid, especially Lyon product Benzema, did not want to embarrass the French side.
More import than the scoreline was the performance put in by Madrid. The defense played very well although to be honest Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira made sure little troubled the back four. The games one disappointment would have to be Ronaldo. He was not his usual slick self, losing the ball for getting a chance to do his favored step-overs, and unable to make his quick cuts. His passing was mediocre and he became frustrated and tried a couple balls from far too far out. Hopefully this performance can be attributed mostly to his injury, which required him to wear a knee brace after coming off the pitch.
The stars of the game for me were Marcelo and Benzema. Marcelo was sensational along the left flank, both passing and dribbling with brilliance. Benzema was usually in the right place, made great runs, showed tremendous patience and footwork, and managed to score his second goal in two matches against his former club this season.
All around a great performance from Madrid with a result to match. Los Merengues surely did not look like a side knocked out at the round of sixteen the past 6 years, as they seemed set to return to their true place among Europe’s elite, earning a birth in the quarterfinals.
