Lyon 3-0 Real Madrid: Weakened Real outclassed (Reuters) Updated: 2005-09-14 09:03
The visitors threatened on eight minutes when a trademark powerful free kick
from Roberto Carlos flirted with the post.
The set piece followed a foul on Real's latest prodigy, Brazil's Robinho, who
gave the Lyon defence plenty of trouble at first before fading along with rest
of his team.
Roberto Carlos had another chance on 19 minutes with an angled shot that Lyon
goalkeeper Gregory Coupet managed to block.
The expensive Spanish outfit kept showing initiative after the break but
looked clumsy in front of goal when they were not denied by a faultless Coupet.
Lyon created few opportunities in the second half but defended with authority
and comfortably held on to their lead.
Real began their campaign determined to make up for some dispiriting defeats
since their last triumph in 2002.
Last season, they failed to make the last eight for the first time in a
decade.
The heavyweight Spanish side, who lost 3-2 at the Bernabeu to promoted Celta
Vigo on Saturday, need significant improvement, especially at the back, if they
want to avoid suffering the same fate this season.
Lyon, chasing an unprecedented fifth successive French title, had boosted
their morale by beating Monaco 2-1 on Saturday, their fifth Ligue 1 victory in
six games.
In their European run, the ever-improving French side can take inspiration
from the fact that this season's Champions League final will be played at the
Stade de France.
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