Lyon prove resourceful before Real Madrid showdown

Despite first signs of wear, Olympique Lyon showed by beating Sedan 1-0 in Ligue 1 on Saturday they would not be easy prey for Real Madrid in their Champions League showdown this week.

Lyon, whose football has been less fluent of late, still lead the league with 37 points from 14 games and have a 12-point cushion after second-placed Lille drew 0-0 at Sochaux.

"This victory is the best tonic before taking on Real at the Bernabeu," Lyon coach Gerard Houllier told reporters.

The five-times French champions did not have it easy, against bottom club Sedan, however.

They cracked the league's most porous defence when they benefited from a Nadjim Abdou own goal 10 minutes from time.

"Even when it's not all smiles for us, we hang on. My team has a mentality of winners," Houllier said.

On Saturday, Lyon had to do without injured striker Fred and Karim Benzema, who will not return before New Year.

Sidney Govou was nursing a thigh injury while fellow winger Sylvain Wiltord had to pull out because of a gastroenteritis.

Norway striker John Carew is proving clumsy in front of goal, prompting Lyon executives to look for another striker during the winter break.

Bernard Lacombe, the Lyon chairman's special adviser, was in Croatia on Saturday to watch promising 20-year-old MK Sibenik forward Anke Rukaniva.

Should they win or draw in Madrid tomorrow, Lyon, who have already qualified for the knockout stage of Europe's top club competition, will top their Group E standings.

"We have to be careful because Real have improved a lot since we last played them," said France defender Sebastien Squillaci.

Lyon beat Real Madrid 2-0 in their Champions League opener two months ago after a scintillating display but they know the nine-times European champions were still looking for the best formula.

Fabio Capello's side beat Racing Santander 3-1 in the Primera Liga on Saturday and are now third in the standings.