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22 players named by Mourinho for Champions League clash

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-22 11:29

Real Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho attends a media conference before their Tuesday's Champions League soccer match against Olympique Lyon at the Gerland stadium in Lyon Feb 21, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho this Monday named a 22 man squad to travel to France ahead of his side's vital Champions League clash against Olympic Lyon on Tuesday.

Real Madrid are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

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Mourinho has included players such as Sergio Canales and Pedro Leon, who have hardly played in the BBVA Primera Liga, for the trip, but there is no place for Argentinean midfielder Fernando Gago, whose long term future at the club must now ve in doubt.

There is a debate as to whether or not Emanuel Adebayor or Karim Benzema will lead the Madrid attack in Lyon, especially as Benzema opened the scoring for Madrid in their 2-0 win over Levante on Saturday night.

One thing not in doubt is that goalkeeper Iker Casillas will return to the starting 11 in place of youngster Antonio Adan, who stood in on Saturday due to Casillas' suspension. Meanwhile Xabi Alonso and Mesut Ozil, who were both rested on Saturday will also be back in the starting 11.

Madrid faced Lyon in the same round of the competition last season, losing 1-0 in the Stade Gerland, before only drawing 1-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu to lose 2-1 on aggregate.