There was a lot of talk before the game yesterday about how Lyon have been our 'bestia negra' for a long time. For a very long time; and how we seem to get cold feet everytime we face opposition of midtable caliber. The Lyons, the Romas, and the Zaragozas of the world have been the bane of our existence since 2003.

There was one distinct point where this fact really hit hard. After a historic winning streak under Lopez Caro in 2005, confidence was running high going into the CL knockouts. The madridismo was supremely confident in that the Arsenal boys, having to improvise with Flamini at left back (!) would be overcome by the ambience of the Bernabeu, Robinho would destroy Eboue, and we'd send those Gooners back to London with their tails between their legs. Sadly, a Thierry Henry made it quite apparent that the walls of the Santiago Bernabeu had worn very thin. When our struggling rivals could come to our turf and have their way with us, you knew there was something very wrong.

A few years on, and Lyon came to the Bernabeu, and while watching the game last night, the commentator said something that really struck a chord with me. "Lyon are a champion team. They never make it easy for anyone. They're a top team in France with a lot of internationals, and a ton of talent - but they came to the Bernabeu and put 11 men in their own third from the very first minute. The French traveled to Madrid with only 800 fans, as opposed to 3000 for the previous tie. They know the status quo. They know that the only way that they can win is if Realmadrid have a terrible day - and under Mourinho that's very unlikely." He was right. Olympique didn't stand a chance because the Bernabeu was impervious again, and that imperious air around every pass had returned.

We now hold a 7-1 aggregate over the last 3 games against a team that has historically mocked our impotency. If last night isn't a statement of intent to the rest of Europe, then I don't know what is. I'm not a big Lord of the Rings fan, but last night marked The Return of the King.

A por la decima!