Olympique Lyon set sights on top spot

Olympique Lyon qualified in style for the last 16 of the Champions League with two games to spare and have now set their eyes on their match at Real Madrid which may decide the Group E top spot.

The French champions, still unbeaten this season, have a maximum 12 points after their 1-0 home victory over Dynamo Kiev, three more than Madrid.

Like in 2004 and 2005, Lyon booked their place for the knock-out round after four group matches and confirmed their ambitions must be taken seriously in the continental event.

Lyon are still to progress beyond the quarter-finals, stumbling at that stage three times in a row, but club coach Gerard Houllier says he is confident after beating Kiev. "Our first half was simply outstanding from my point of view," Houllier said. "Sometimes this team can leave me dumbstruck.

"The match in Madrid will be some kind of group finale. We won't go there to chase a draw even if a draw would put us in a favourable position to get out in front," he said.

A draw in the Bernabeu could be enough for Lyon to finish at the top of the table as it would leave Madrid trailing by three points before the round's closing match next month.

The French champions host Steaua Bucharest at Gerland stadium in December. Madrid take on Kiev on home turf.

Emerging first would mean Lyon avoid the other group winners and have the opportunity to play their last 16 second leg on their home ground, an advantage which proved decisive the last two years.