Madrid look to end Champions League Hoodoo
Six long years have passed since the most successful side in European club competition history have made it past the UEFA Champions League round of 16. They might be the biggest club in world football, but 'Los Blancos' have reached the last 16 of Europe's top tier competition six times in succession, only to be knocked out...
The last time Real Madrid reached the Champions League Final in 2002, David Beckham was still a Manchester United player, the world hadn't heard of Lionel Messi, Manchester City were in the Football League first Division, Chelsea weren't owned by Roman Abramovich, Cristiano Ronaldo was playing for Sportin Lisbon and the Nike Superfly didn't exist!
So after the agony of continual Champions League heart-break, can Real Madrid break their own jinx of the last 16?
Tonight, Real Madrid face Lyon with revenge on their mind. Last season, Madrid were knocked out at the last 16 stage for the sixth successive time after losing 2-1 on aggregate to the French side. Lyon went on to reach the semi-finals for the first time before falling to Bayern Munich. It was seen as the result that sealed Manuel Pellegrini's fate.
Madrid now have a new Champions League weapon in Jose Mourinho. The tournament is widely regarded as Mourinho's main objective this season, with the BernabÉu power-houses demanding a change in fortune for the Spanish capital side. Madrid desperately need a serious challenge for the trophy this year after last years overwhelming disappointment of not being able to reach the final at their own stadium.
Previous reactions to Champions League failure doesn't offer good reading for Mourinho. Every manager who has failed to offer Champions League success has been sacked. Florentino Perez's history of sacking coaches is startling. Fabio Capello was sacked when he won the La Liga title and Pellegrini was given the chop despite achieving 96 league points! With suggestions that Mourinho is on uneasy ground already at Madrid, Champions League failure might be good enough reason for Perez to wield the axe once more.
Everyone expects Madrid to make it past the last 16 stage this year, with new talents now at the club. Both Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo each have 4 goals so far in this seasons Champions League with the club ending the group stages with a total of 15 goals. Lyon will also be preparing to come up against their former striker Karim Benzema once more.
Madrid are widely regarded as a different outfit in comparison to last season. Cristiano Ronaldo is hopeful that his team will beat Lyon this time around. He said, This year is going to be totally different'', highlighting the Jose Mourinho influence.
A potential upset is always on the cards when it comes to Madrid and the Champions League but Mourinho will be hoping for a routing performance tonight at the Stade Gerland Stadium.
