At the weekend Real Madrid continued to improve, handling Xerez with the ease that was expected while getting help in the standings from Atletico’s defeat of leaders Barcelona. Three points closer to the holders, Pellegrini’s men travelled to southern France for the first leg of their Champions League tie with Lyon on Tuesday night, attempting to break a five-year streak of Round of 16 exits in the European competition.

The fourth place French side saw their top striker leave the Stade Gerland for the Bernabeu this past summer, on Tuesday night, though, Karim Benzema returned to face the team he served for five years. A fixture with many story lines, Madrid’s concern was a positive result in front of the return trip to the Spanish capital; however, Los Blancos could not break the resolve of their French counterparts and now face a goal deficit.

Madrid have a potent, though underachieving, attack; a one goal discrepancy is not a daunting task. Real’s worst enemy in the return leg may very well be themselves. Their questionable defence, which has improved with time, also has been known by their modus operandi of being aggressive.

The concern being, the concession of a goal would, because of the away goal rule, require three from Madrid in order to advance. The capital side, who are in danger of crashing out of the Champions League for the sixth year in a row, are not in cataclysmic danger but the threat of an away goal and its implications still loom.

Lyon celebrate ©Getty Images

As for the game itself, Lyon were the better team, possibly deserving more than the one goal that found the back of Iker’s net. Madrid’s attacking threats were seldom, though a quick reflex save from Hugo Lloris kept Gonzalo Higuain off the score sheet while Benzema’s introduction (and much anticipated return) in the second half seemed to spark the visitors towards the end.

Real Madrid created various opportunities but it was clear that Lyon’s quality chances outnumbered those of the visitors. A fortieth minute volley from Cesar Delgado was only kept out by the post, though Les Gones didn’t wait long after the break, scoring the match’s only goal ninety seconds into the second half. Jean Makoun took possession in midfield but a soft Madrid defence allowed the Cameroon international to dribble within range and strike an unstoppable ball past the Spanish keeper. An advantage Olympique Lyonnais would not surrender, taking the lead to the Bernabeu in a few weeks with a chance to knock out the Spanish giants.

The positive note from the past few days was Barcelona’s defeat at the Calderon on Sunday night. The Catalan’s defeat leaves Real Madrid two points from the top with plenty of league football to be played. After crashing out of the Copa del Rey in the famed Alarconazo, the Madrilenos are not looking to exit the Champions League this early.

One of the main reasons quoted in the signings of the high profile players this summer was to become more competitive not just in the league but in Europe as well. Madrid’s fate will not be known until the return leg at the Bernabeu, where Los Blancos have yet to lose, but, for the next couple weeks, Pellegrini’s men need to remain focused on the task at hand and not let their defeat in France affect their strong league position.