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In Madrid, on Wednesday, "Real" will try for the first time in seven years to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League - so far the Spaniards always hit the wall in the round of 16, which is represented this season by "Lyon".
The French also have not given up hope, although after a 1-1 draw in France, they will have to attack and score against a team that has not conceded a single goal at home in this tournament and has not been defeated at all.
However, it is unclear whether "Real" leader Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to appear on the field, as he suffered a hamstring injury at the beginning of March.
"I don't know if he will be able to take the field. We have to wait for the last training session and then decide. I am not a doctor, so we will let the specialists decide," said Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho.
And added: "I don't like to make decisions on the day of the match - it's better to do everything in the evening. But now we are not hiding anything - if Cristiano is ready, he will play."
Last season, it was "Lyon" that eliminated "Real" in the round of 16 and blocked the way to the final, which was held at Madrid's "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium. Mourinho triumphed in that final, then still in charge of Inter Milan.
But the Portuguese was not inclined to exaggerate successful performances in this tournament in previous years: "I usually do well in this tournament, but neither my success nor Real's failures will play any role tonight. Each match is unique. In this case, we have a slight advantage, but the fight is still ahead."
It is uncertain whether the hosts will have defender Pedro Leonas ready to play, who missed the last match against "Hercules". Sami Khedira and Ezequiel Garay were on the bench in that match, and the German midfielder even appeared on the field after halftime. Kaka, who has not played since January 26, as well as Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuain, will certainly not be there.
Meanwhile, "Lyon" has problems with full-back Aly Cissokho, who did not play in the weekend match against "Sochaux" due to a knee injury, as well as playmaker Yoann Gourcuff - he has a minor foot injury, but is likely to take the field.
Possible starting lineups:
"Real": Casillas; Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe, Arbeloa; Alonso, Khedira; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema
"Lyon": Lloris; Reveillere, Cris, Lovren, Kallstrom; Toulalan, Gourcuff, Gonalons; Lisandro, Gomis, Cesar Delgado.
