Real head for Lyon's den

By Andy Hall

Real Sociedad de Fútbol goalkeeper Sander Westerveld is hoping team spirit will help his side recover a 1-0 deficit against Olympique Lyonnais in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round. The Dutch international, who broke a finger in the first leg in San Sebastian, will be unavailable for Tuesday's return match but will be cheering on his colleagues nonetheless.

Uncharacteristic display
Raynald Denoueix's players will need all the support they can get after conceding a vital away goal to the French champions during what was an uncharacteristic display a fortnight ago. Westerveld explained to uefa.com: "We didn't play well and made it difficult for ourselves. [Lyon] look like they have a really good team, but we didn't play like we normally would and perhaps gave them too much respect."

Own goal
Disaster struck after 15 minutes at the Anoeta when Gabriel Schurrer turned a Florent Malouda cross into his own net. Westerveld continued: "The ball sped across the face of goal without any threat from the Lyon strikers. Schurrer was about to put the ball out for a corner and I shouted, 'leave it'. He dragged his foot away but not in time - the ball clipped his studs and went in."

Lesson learned
Despite that defeat, Westerveld remained upbeat about Real's chances. "The only positive was that we learned what Lyon are about, and we know what is expected of us in the return," he said. "We have to attack because we need to score. The good thing is, we have nothing to lose. It's all or nothing, we have no choice but to play aggressively and that suits our style."

Praise for Lyon
However, the 29-year-old warned that quality opponents stand between 'la Real' and a quarter-final place. "If you let Lyon play then they are really dangerous," Westerveld said. "They like to knock the ball around, they are incredibly strong, and I think they enjoyed greater possession than us at the Anoeta." Midfield player Mikel Aranburu concurred, telling uefa.com: "Lyon are quick, especially in attack, and very strong. They are a side with great quality."

No excuses
Luck may also play a part in deciding which team prevails at the Stade Gerland - and Westerveld hoped for better fortune than Real enjoyed in the first leg. "Perhaps we didn't have a great deal of luck in the first game - we hit the bar for example," he said. "But while I was in England [with Liverpool FC], the gaffer always used to tell us, 'you make your own luck'. I think if we play our own aggressive game then the luck will come our way. That's how we must approach this match."

Show of support
With 3,000 travelling fans expected to lend their backing to their team, midfield player Valeri Karpin admitted the Real players will need all the encouragement they can get. "Our fans realise this is one of the most important games in the club's history and, thankfully, they have responded as they always do," said the Russian international. "All that remains is for us to meet the challenge and try and get a result."