If you were expecting a boring, defensive, tactical 0-0 draw at the Stade Gerland, you expected wrong. Real Madrid and Olympique Lyon played a great game on Tuesday night.
The first half belonged to Lyon, with their gameplan working to perfection. They had the better of the chances and stifled Madrid's attack, limiting the touches in dangerous areas of Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Özil, and Emmanuel Adebayor.
Madrid came out guns blazing in the second half. During a period of less than 15 minutes, Madrid hit the woodwork twice and had a legitimate penalty shout denied, just moments before Karim Benzema entered the game.
Painted by the media as the villain in the pre-match build up, Benzema was actually given a standing ovation by the Lyon fans when he entered the match for Adebayor in the 64th minute. Their love affair would not last, though, as it took mere seconds for Benzema to punish his former club by scoring for Madrid.
In the 85th minute, Bafetimbi Gomis found a vital equalizer on a set piece, assisted by a great header from Cris who outjumped two Madrid defenders in the process.
Copenhagen 0 Chelsea 2
Nicolas Anelka scored a double to open up a healthy lead going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 16.
The Frenchman benefited off a loose pass from former Blues man, Jesper Gronkjaer, after only 17 minutes for his first goal.
Frank Lampard played a delicious ball through to Anelka for his second as Chelsea stamped their authority on the match, as Copenhagen, who had not played a game in three months, looked heavily off the pace.
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