csconstantine.com

By Iain Rogers

MADRID, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Real Madrid’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Olympique Lyon on Tuesday went some way towards ending their jinx against the French club but the players were frustrated at their failure to secure a decisive victory.

Lyon eliminated the La Liga giants at the same stage last season, Real’s sixth straight failure to make the quarter-finals, and there will no doubt be a few nervous home fans at the Bernabeu for the second leg on March 16.

Before Tuesday, Real’s record at Lyon’s Stade de Gerland was three defeats, no goals scored and six conceded but things seemed to be looking up when former Lyon striker Karim Benzema netted for the Spanish club in the 65th minute.

However, an 83rd-minute equaliser from Bafetimbi Gomis rescued a draw for the home side and left the tie nicely balanced for the second leg at the Bernabeu.

“I come away feeling a little sad,” Real’s Portuguese defender Pepe told reporters.

“We deserved to leave here with a win, unfortunately it wasn’t to be and we have the match at the Bernabeu to get through,” he added.

Real, bidding for a 10th continental title, will be firm favourites to progress given they have won all 19 home games in all competitions since Jose Mourinho took over as coach at the end of last season.

POSITIVE RESULT

Right back Sergio Ramos, whose header against the bar was one of Real’s many chances on Tuesday, said the draw was a positive result.

“You always have to be optimistic and dream about getting through the tie,” he told reporters.

“The return game is at home and in front of our own fans and we have to progress,” the Spain international added.

Ramos acknowledged Lyon had been superior in the early stages of the match.

“We know Olympique and they have a great team,” he said.

“In the first half they moved the ball around better and were more dangerous.

“But the (Real) team knew how to react in the second half. We passed the ball around better and created some clear chances, and there were also the doubts over the penalty.”

Real’s claims for a penalty when the ball appeared to strike Yoann Gourcuff’s arm in the area were waved away by the referee.

“Unfortunately, they (the match officials) didn’t see it,” defender Ricardo Carvalho said. “I don’t understand it because everyone saw that it hit Gourcuff’s elbow.”

(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Ken Ferris

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Labels: champions, frustrated, league, Reuters