Assist Hat-trick

After Yang Yang scored, Real Madrid launched a fierce attack on Lyon.

With a 1–0 home win and a 1–1 away draw, Real Madrid currently held a commanding advantage in the two-legged Round of 16 tie.

But Lyon had clearly made thorough preparations for the away match. They might even have prepared themselves to concede first, so falling a goal behind did not make them anxious or unsettled. Instead, they continued organizing their defense in an orderly fashion.

Although Real Madrid held the advantage, they did not become conservative because of it. They continued defending high up the pitch and kept pressuring Lyon, especially down both flanks, where Yang Yang and Robben were constantly trying to create chances.

With Xabi Alonso and Sneijder orchestrating the play, however, Real Madrid were also playing steadily and showed no impatience.

Time gradually slipped away in this atmosphere, and neither side revealed too many openings.

Real Madrid held an absolute advantage on the field, while Lyon looked extremely passive. Their first truly threatening attack after kickoff did not come until the twenty-second minute, when left-back Aly Cissokho cut in from the left and delivered a pass. But Lyon forward Benzema's shot was spectacularly saved by Casillas.

Real Madrid quickly responded in kind.

Just two minutes later, Sneijder played a through ball, and Yang Yang raced into the left side of the penalty area. He stopped abruptly and cut the ball back, shook off the defender, then unleashed a powerful right-footed drive. It was fierce and sudden, but goalkeeper Lloris produced a crucial save, tipping the ball over the crossbar one-handed as if aided by the gods and preventing Lyon from conceding again.

After that, Real Madrid continued to maintain immense attacking pressure.

The Trident of Yang Yang, Ibrahimovic, and Robben was enough to terrify