Ronaldo unfazed by Lyon loss
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Article summary
Cristiano Ronaldo told UEFA.com he is sure Real Madrid CF are "good enough to win by two or three goals" at home against Olympique Lyonnais, following their 1-0 first knockout round defeat in France.
Article top media content
Article body
Cristiano Ronaldo maintained that Real Madrid CF "have no choice" but to overturn the 1-0 deficit they incurred at Olympique Lyonnais on Tuesday when the two sides meet again in the Spanish capital.
Up against a fiercely determined and well-organised Lyon side, Manuel Pellegrini's men struggled to produce the sort of flowing football that has seen them pick up 22 points from their last nine matches in the Spanish Liga.
Consequently, Jean II Makoun's second-half goal inflicted a first away defeat on Madrid in this season's competition and left open the possibility of the nine-time European champions exiting at the last 16 stage for a sixth year running.
Despite the setback, Ronaldo remains quietly confident. "We aren't too worried about this result," the 25-year-old told UEFA.com. "Losing is part of football and we know it's always difficult when you play away from home in Europe.
"Lyon defended well, with lots of men behind the ball, and they made it very hard for us to find our game. But we'll go into the second leg in positive mood, knowing we're good enough to win by two or three goals."
Like Ronaldo, Kaká was largely kept in check by the resolute Ligue 1 outfit, but the Brazilian playmaker was also keen to keep the defeat in perspective, saying: "You always need to suffer to go a long way in this competition. It will be tough but we can turn the score around in the second leg."
Madrid registered 15 goals in the group stage, more than any other team, although not even the tournament's leading scorer Ronaldo could find a way past Lyon's inspired goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who produced an outstanding fingertip save to deny the Portuguese forward.
Not that the former Manchester United FC winger is concerned who gets the goals – so long as Madrid stay on course for the final at their home ground on 22 May. "It doesn't matter who scores," Ronaldo said. "All that is important is that the team progresses. We're all determined to be part of the final, so have no choice. We have to turn this tie around."