Karim Benzema set to miss out on facing former club

Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini has a few selection worries ahead of their Champions League clash with Lyon in the Bernabeu this evening.

Karim Benzema will not face his former employers, due to a groin injury, and the Frenchman will be joined on the sidelines by the suspended pair of Marcelo and Xabi Alonso.

That means that the in-form Gonzalo Higuain will start in attack, flanked by ‘galacticos’ Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In midfield, Alonso’s absence opens up a space for the veteran Guti, who made a successful return during Real’s dramatic 3-2 win over Sevilla on Saturday night.

Lassana Diarra and Esteban Granero will flank the playmaker, with Rafael van der Vaart expected to be involved from the substitutes bench at some point during the ninety minutes.

With Royston Drenthe struggling for fitness, the Madrid back four will be unchanged from the weekend’s match against Sevilla.

Real’s opponents Lyon have not conceded in their last six games and, therefore, their defence will remain unchanged, with Cris, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Aly Cissokho and Anthony Reveillere having built up a strong understanding.

A defensive Lyon line-up will see Jeremy Toulalan, Jean Makoun and Miralem Pjanic joined in midfield by the returning Cesar Delgado and the experienced Sidney Govou, with Lisandro Lopez, who has been struggling for fitness expected to start as a lone striker in the Bernabeu.

Expected Starting XIs

Real Madrid: Casillas – Ramos, Garay, Albiol, Arbeloa – L.Diarra, Granero, Guti – Kaka, Ronaldo, Higuain

Lyon: Lloris – Reveillere, Cris, Boumsong, Cissokho – Govou, Toulalan, Makoun, Pjanic, Delgado - Lopez