Madrid eye knockout stage

Real Madrid can secure a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League with a victory at Lyon on Wednesday (today).The 2002 champions top Group D with nine points, five clear of Ajax Amsterdam and Lyon. Dinamo Zagreb is in last place without a point.Madrid routed Lyon 4-0 last month and hope to repeat the feat when they meet for the 10th time in Europes top competition.The Spanish league leaders will be looking to continue their impressive run of form. Madrid have won their last eight matches in all competitions, including six clean sheets, and are the only team that have yet to concede a goal in the group stage of the Champions League.Lyon used to create a lot of problems for Madrid, winning three and drawing four of their first seven matches. But the momentum has swung in Madrids favour lately.Madrid beat Lyon by a wide margin in their last two encounters. Besides the 4-0 rout two weeks ago, Madrid also thrashed Lyon 3-0 last season.Yet, Madrid coach Jose Mourinho wont underestimate the French club.Lyon is many things, but not an easy side, and they defeated Real Madrid in recent seasons, Mourinho said. I dont think we have an easy group. Were doing our job very well, and thats why we have nine points.In four home games against Madrid, Lyon are still undefeated with three wins and a draw.They are much stronger at home and play with better confidence and more aggressively, Madrid midfielder Mesut Oezil said. Our advantage is how we handle the ball and our individual talent. We want to score a lot of goals and come back with three points.
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