Champions League/ Barcelona-Lyon: Karim Benzema in the front line

Lyon striker for two years and requested by the biggest European clubs, the front-center international Karim Benzema is expected at the turn Tuesday in the Champions League, against FC Barcelona which is among the favourites to engage him in a near future.

•     With five goals in six days of the first phase, aged 21, he was the best scorer of the competition with Lionel Messi, the Barça star, Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) and Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich).
  
      A year ago, he had responded to face Manchester United again in the 8th finals, against a club which wants his recruitment. He had opened the scoring in the match of the first phase in Gerland (1-1), Lyon losing in return (1-0).
  
      "It is a pleasure to play such a match. All players want to shine even more but I know that all go through the collective," said Benzema, last week during an interview with the daily Regional Progress.
  
      This double confrontation of the 8th finals is an important event for the player, one of the Catalan club's targets against which he will show he has the level to play with the greatest.
  
      "My departure is not valid. I am in a great club and we'll see after the two matches against Barcelona what will happen," he says, however.
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• Ennaharonline/ M. O.