Although each game in football is a new 90 minutes sequence, history often seems to have a big impact on a team’s fate in cup football, and so do recent runs or various statistics. Tonight, Real Madrid will affront Olympique Lyon; and that French side is certainly not the best team in the world. But the importance of this Champions League encounter has transformed the Spanish giants’ task into an enormous one.
An unconcerned person may ask, ‘Isn’t it just a Last 16 match that Madrid wil be playing?’ Certainly, but there is more to Wednesday night’s Real Madrid vs Olympique Lyon match than “just” a quarter-final spot at stake. Yes, and this is the case because of what history confines. Los Blancos have a big curse to destroy.
Fact: In each of the past six UEFA Champions League tournaments, Real Madrid have searched in vain for the keys to unlock the gates to the quarter-finals. It may be hard to believe that Jose Mourinho’s men will be crashing out from Europe for the 7th year in succession if they lose again tonight; hard to believe, but it’s true!
So Real Madrid have made a loud call for the home crowd to be their 12th man tonight, as they seek to control the momentum throughout the game. And what if the Spanish giants wanted to lean on statistical records and historical facts only, so as to grow their confidence of reaching the next stage?
In such a case, would there have been enough fire to light the candles? Live Soccer TV invites you to look at what a few interesting facts before Real Madrid vs Olympique Lyon kicks off. Which team seems to have the best chance of triumphing tonight?
1) Real Madrid’s Home Perfect Record
It’s incredible. Real Madrid have won the totality of their matches on home soil this season – and this record includes games from all competitions. It was at the Santiago Bernabeu, back in October 2010, that the Spanish giants defeated AC Milan 2-0 in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.
In their Castilian fortress in Europe, this term, Madrid haven’t seen a single ball from opposing teams crossing their goal line. It is also on the same ground that Real Madrid have currently become La Liga’s best attacking and defensive side at home. Their 46-6 record in 28 matches speaks for itself as it beats Barcelona’s 37-8 record.
2) Untouched Lyon
One of the best ways to prepare for a titanic game is to maintain or even raise the momentum through good results. That’s exactly what Olympique Lyon have done. The French hold a 7-game unbeaten run which includes the 1-1 draw they salvaged against Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Last 16 tie. in their last two matches, Olympique Lyon have also not conceded a goal whereas they’ve shown to be in good attacking scoring six goals in the process.
3) Jose Mourinho, The Special One
One of Jose Mourinho’s many records remains unbroken. The Portuguese manager is yet to lose a knock-out game since August 2009, when Lazio defeated Inter in the Supercoppa Italia.
4) Real Madrid And Their Lucky 1-1 First Leg Results
Real Madrid are waiting to host Lyon on Wednesday night with a part of history on their side. In European football, Los Blancos have never failed to win a tie after drawing 1-1 in the first leg played away from home. Below are results from the past:
*First Round of the 1967/68 European Cup: Ajax 1-1 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 2-1 Ajax
*Quarterfinals of the 1982/83 European Cup Winner's Cup: Inter 1-1 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 2-1 Inter
*Quarterfinals of the 1988/89 European Cup: PSV 1-1 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 2-1 PSV
*Quarterfinals of the 1991/92 UEFA Cup: Sigma Olomuc 1-1 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 1-0 Sigma Olomuc
*First Round of the 1992/93 UEFA Cup: P.Timisoara 1-1 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 4-0 P.Timisoara
*Last 16 of the 1993/94 European Cup Winner's Cup: Tirol 1-1 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 3-0 Tirol
*Quarterfinals of the 1997/98 UEFA Champions League: B.Leverkusen 1-1 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 3-0 B.Leverkusen
*Last 16 of the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League: Bayern 1-1 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 1-0 Bayern
5) Olympic Lyon’s Super Record Against Real Madrid
Lyon have never tasted defeat against Real Madrid in their history of football. The French have met the Spanish giants 7 times and the last of these meetings ended in a 1-1 draw a few weeks ago.
2005/2006 UEFA Champions League, Group F: Lyon 3-0 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 1-1 Lyon
2006/2007 UEFA Champions League, Group E: Lyon 2-0 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 2-2 Lyon
2009/2010 UEFA Champions League, Last 16: Lyon 1-0 Real Madrid | Real Madrid 1-1 Lyon
How will tonight's game turn out? Which team will edge the other? Well, it's Real Madrid vs Olympique Lyon, so expect a thrilling atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight!
