Lyon v Real Madrid: Preview.

Real Madrid's improved defence should help them avoid a second humiliating start in successive seasons at Olympique Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Spanish giants, who meet Lyon at Gerland in Group E, went down 3-0 to the French champions in their opening group match last year.

The addition of Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has done much to strengthen the Real back four, while Lyon old boy Mahamadou Diarra has settled in alongside Emerson in an armour-plated central midfield combination.

Fabio Capello's side are unlikely to commit the sort of errors that led to Real conceding three goals in the opening half hour at Lyon last season.

'We will have to be very careful. It will not be the same game as last year,' Lyon's Brazilian international Juninho said.

'Real have changed a lot, with a new coach who has another mentality,' he added, referring to Capello's tactical skills and emphasis on solid defending.

Lyon, who have reached the competition's last eight in the last three seasons, prepared in the best possible way by beating Troyes 2-0 on Saturday with Juninho in a class of his own.

The midfielder set up a goal and scored the other with one of his trademark free kicks, his 28th for Lyon since 2001.

French internationals Eric Abidal and Florent Malouda were rested for Wednesday's match.

Real will still be without Ronaldo who is recovering from the knee surgery he underwent after the World Cup, but the recent performances of new signing Ruud van Nistelrooy and a rejuvenated Antonio Cassano have been encouraging.

Van Nistelrooy helped himself to a hat-trick in Real's 4-1 win at Levante on Sunday, while Cassano weighed in with what was only his second league goal since joining the club last January.

'We've got a very tough match against Lyon, but if we play as we did against Levante then I'm sure we'll come back with a win,' said the Dutchman.

His comments were echoed by midfielder David Beckham, who had a hand in two of Real's goals. 'This win has given us just the sort of confidence boost we needed,' he said. 'Now we can focus on beating Lyon on Wednesday.'

Real right back Michel Salgado is out after suffering a blow to his left knee at Levante and is likely to be replaced by Brazil's Cicinho.