Mourinho takes 22 players to Lyon for Champions League clash

0 CommentsPrint E-mail Xinhua, February 22, 2011
Adjust font size:

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho this Monday named a 22 man squad to travel to France ahead of his side's vital Champions League clash against Olympic Lyon on Tuesday.

Real Madrid are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since the 2003-4 season.

Mourinho has included players such as Sergio Canales and Pedro Leon, who have hardly played in the BBVA Primera Liga, for the trip, but there is no place for Argentinean midfielder Fernando Gago, whose long term future at the club must now be in doubt.

There is a debate as to whether or not Emanuel Adebayor or Karim Benzema will lead the Madrid attack in Lyon, especially as Benzema opened the scoring for Madrid in their 2-0 win over Levante on Saturday night.

One thing not in doubt is that goalkeeper Iker Casillas will return to the starting 11 in place of youngster Antonio Adan, who stood in on Saturday due to Casillas' suspension. Meanwhile Xabi Alonso and Mesut Ozil, who were both rested on Saturday will also be back in the starting 11.

Madrid faced Lyon in the same round of the competition last season, losing 1-0 in the Stade Gerland, before only drawing 1-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu to lose 2-1 on aggregate.

Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comments

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter