On February 16, 2010, Olympique Lyonnais faced Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, France. Lyon secured a 1-0 victory, giving them a crucial advantage heading into the second leg in Madrid.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Olympique Lyonnais: 1 (Jean II Makoun 47′)
- Real Madrid: 0
- Possession:
- Real Madrid had 58% possession, while Olympique Lyonnais had 42%. Despite Madrid’s control of the ball, Lyon’s defensive organization and effective counter-attacks caused problems for the Spanish giants.
- Shots:
- Olympique Lyonnais registered 16 shots, with 5 on target, reflecting their ability to create opportunities despite having less possession. Real Madrid managed 12 shots, with 3 on target, struggling to break down Lyon’s well-organized defense.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Real Madrid had a passing accuracy of 84%, completing 479 passes out of 569 attempts. Olympique Lyonnais had a passing accuracy of 75%, completing 252 passes out of 336 attempts. Madrid’s superior passing statistics were not enough to break down Lyon’s defense, which was compact and disciplined throughout the match.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Olympique Lyonnais made 19 tackles compared to Real Madrid’s 15, showing their commitment to disrupting Madrid’s play and regaining possession. Lyon’s defense, led by Cris and Jean-Alain Boumsong, was resolute, effectively neutralizing Madrid’s attacking threats, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Set Pieces:
- The only goal of the match came from open play. In the 47th minute, Jean II Makoun struck a long-range shot from outside the box that beat Iker Casillas, giving Lyon the lead early in the second half. Despite several corners and set-piece opportunities, Real Madrid was unable to capitalize and find an equalizer.
- Individual Performances:
- Jean II Makoun was the standout performer for Lyon, scoring the only goal with a spectacular strike and playing a key role in midfield. Hugo Lloris, Lyon’s goalkeeper, made several important saves to preserve the clean sheet. For Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo was lively but was closely marked and struggled to find the space to create significant opportunities.
- Tactical Overview:
- Olympique Lyonnais, managed by Claude Puel, used a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on defensive solidity and quick transitions. Real Madrid, under Manuel Pellegrini, employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to control the midfield and dominate possession. However, Lyon’s compact defensive setup and effective counter-attacking strategy frustrated Madrid and allowed Lyon to take the lead.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw two yellow cards, both for Olympique Lyonnais (Aly Cissokho 14′, Maxime Gonalons 64′). The fouls were tactical, aimed at breaking up Madrid’s play and preventing dangerous attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Real Madrid won 7 corners compared to Lyon’s 4, reflecting their territorial advantage and attempts to create chances through set pieces. Both teams were caught offside twice, indicating their attempts to stretch the opposition’s defense.
Summary
Olympique Lyonnais’s 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 was a significant result that gave the French side a crucial advantage heading into the second leg. Jean II Makoun’s stunning long-range goal early in the second half was the difference in a tightly contested match, where Lyon’s disciplined defense and tactical awareness shone through.
Despite Real Madrid’s dominance in possession and passing, they struggled to break down Lyon’s organized defense and create clear-cut chances. Lyon, on the other hand, was effective on the counter-attack and took advantage of one of their opportunities to secure the win.
Hugo Lloris played a vital role in goal for Lyon, making several key saves to maintain the clean sheet, while Jean II Makoun’s goal capped off a strong individual and team performance.
For Real Madrid, the defeat was disappointing, especially given their ambitions in the Champions League, but they still had the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu to turn the tie around. However, the result put them under significant pressure, as Lyon’s defensive strength and the away goal rule would play a crucial role in the second leg.
This match highlighted the effectiveness of a well-organized and disciplined team against a more possession-oriented side, setting the stage for an intriguing second leg in Madrid.
