Real humbled by Lyon
Thursday, September 14, 2006

Real Madrid tumbled at Lyon 2-0 while AC Milan and Arsenal opened with impressive Champions League victories yesterday.

Manchester United also won, edging Celtic 3-2 in an entertaining game at Old Trafford.

Six-time European champion Milan beat AEK Athens 3-0 and Arsenal, last season's runner-up, began its campaign with a 2-1 win at Hamburger SV despite the absence of the injured Thierry Henry.

Despite the return of former coach Fabio Capello and more big-name signings, Madrid looks no nearer to turning around its slump in European soccer. The nine-time champions still can't recapture the form that earned them three titles in five seasons from 1998 to 2002.

French champion Lyon could have been four goals up by halftime in a one-sided game at Stade Gerland. Fred scored in the 11th minute and Tiago added a second in the 31st while but Florent Malouda hit the crossbar and the Madrid defenders made frequent mistakes under pressure.

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