End of an Obsession for Real Madrid

Miralem Pjanic is destined for big things. He is not a household name, but that may change after his goal for Lyon knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League.

Europe's premier club competition was the be all and end all for Real this season as the final on May 22 is at their Bernabeu Stadium.

As I watched Cristiano Ronaldo trudge off down the tunnel, his early goal not enough to send Real through as they bowed out 2-1 on aggregate in the second round, my immediate thoughts turned to the future of coach Manuel Pellegrini, but also the prospect of Real's worst nightmare coming to fruition.

For the Merengues possess an inner fear that has not left them since the season kicked off - that of arch-rivals Barcelona retaining their Champions League crown at the Bernabeu. It had been within Real's power to stop them achieving this, but the 1-1 draw with Lyon and subsequent elimination relegated them to mere bystanders in what could be a humiliating day on May 22.

I believe Lyon's progress is good for the game. The fact that they beat a team who broke the world transfer record twice last summer (when signing Kaka and Ronaldo) again demonstrates that money is not the only common denominator when it comes to winning trophies.

The French side deserved this too. Ronaldo was threatening to run them ragged in the first-half, but coach Claude Puel's half-time team talk appeared to work wonders as they tightened up considerably, and became more aggressive in the attacking third.

When Real did pressurize the Lyon backline, they found Brazilian center-back Cris in inspired form.

Although Real Madrid are currently top of the Spanish league, it was never any secret that the Champions League was the one they wanted this season. One now fears for Pellegrini as Real coaches of the past have been sacked for far less than this.

As for Pjanic, remember the name. The 19-year-old's unerring finish 15 minutes from time was his fourth European goal of the season. The midfielder, a product of the same Metz academy that produced Emmanuel Adebayor and Robert Pires among others, has a lovely touch, great awareness and a killer final ball.

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