Real Madrid 1-0 Lyon- first half report—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Real Madrid seemed to have finally found the solution to the voodoo French teams looked to have had over them for years. Especially Lyon has been a handful for the Spanish giants in last few seasons of Champions league. The first leg in France had ended
1-1 and Real did need to score in the first half to make sure that they had some cushion in the game. The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Madrid, thanks to a fantastic goal from Brazilian Marcello.

As the match kicked off there was nothing to suggest that Real Madrid would look to defend their territory as a goalless draw would have been enough for them. Madrid started the positively and looked to attack on every opportunity.

Cristiano Ronaldo as one would expect was at the centre of almost every single attack that Madrid put together in first 15 minutes of the game.

Marcelo the left back was looking lively and continued to make the overlapping runs on the flank. That was more evidence that Jose Mourinho had not advised his team to sit back and go for a draw.  Marcelo made a decent run on the wing and put in a threatening
low cross in centre of the box, Hugo Lloris the Lyon goalkeeper acted first and grasped it easily.

Next chance for Madrid came from a set piece, it was the left footed German Mesut Ozil who swung in a dangerous ball from outside the area, Ronaldo got his head onto the ball but once again Hugo was quick to get off his line and collected well.

Real Madrid continued to dominate the game, while Lyon looked to be camped in their own half. Finally Real keeper Iker Casillas was called into action. Cesar Delgado from Lyon had collected the ball from almost halfway line and ran towards the Madrid goal,
with not much support around him he decided to take the shot. His effort from 18 yards was well on target but Casillas did well to palm it away.

Real started to mount more pressure on the away side, Ronaldo was the next to make a daring run and beat two men while making his way into the box.  He let fly and tried to curl the ball in from the far post but Hugo dove and collected the ball well.

Madrid finally got the goal that they had richly deserved, it was an unexpected source but the goal was a beauty. Marcelo made another one of his typical overlapping runs and collected the ball on the left, he made his way towards the Lyon box and traded
a neat one two with Ronaldo. After getting into the box he dummied to beat one defender and after getting the ball on his left foot took his shot. Keeper Hugo who had been in great form, did get his hand to it but the ball ended in back of the net.

Madrid did put the ball in the net once again in matter of minutes through Karim Benzema, but he was ruled off side. The first half ended 1-0 for Madrid and they lead 2-1 on aggregate