(GSM) – If anyone could be more happier from the sight of seeing Karim Benzema return to the Stade de Gerland, it would be Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.
Aulas is excited at seeing the France international back at the club, where he rose from the youth ranks of the les Gones to become one of Europe’s most feared strikers.
But the 21-year-old moved to Santiago Bernabéu for €35 million fee during the summer transfer window.
Aulas told Eurosport: “He was a great player for us and it’s going to be something special for him to play against his former club. He is a player I have a lot of feeling for. There’s a lot of feeling between us. We have a great bond.”
And Benzema wasn’t the only addition to los Merengues squad with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo also signed in the close season.
Expectantly, Aulas is aware the tie will be difficult for his club.
“There is no weak team here so we have to look forward to play who we are playing,” he added.
“I knew this morning was going to be a difficult day but we have two months to prepare and hopefully our form will come back.”
However, Real Madrid have never beaten Lyon in European competition and Manuel Pellegrini is not taking anything for granted
He told the club’s official website: ”To me they (Lyon) seem just as difficult an opponent as any of those we could have faced. But the most important thing is the form the teams are in at the time. We hope we will be at a good level and can get through to the next round.”
While, French-born Argentinian attacker Gonzalo HiguaÃn is deriving confidence by Madrid’s two group wins against Olympique de Marseille as the nine-time European champions continue their bid to reach the final at their home stadium.
“Lyon are a tough side but one that we can beat,” he said.
“We’ve already faced Marseille so we’ve had a taste of the threat French sides can pose. Having said that, we will play the second leg at home and hopefully that will help us to get through.”
Les Gones defender Cris, whose side have gone out in the last 16 three years running after three successive quarter-final appearances, is happy with the draw considering the Ligue giants could have drawn Barcelona or Chelsea.
“Madrid are among the best three teams in Europe and feature great players like Benzema, Kaká and Ronaldo,” Cris said.
“They are a good draw though. They are an attacking team, rebuilt this season, and bear in mind that we could have drawn Barcelona or Chelsea.”
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