Olympique Lyon left  Madrid with a quarter-final ticket, after drawing 1-1 with the Spanish giants. At the first leg, Lyon managed to beat Madrid 1-0

“This is blow for Real Madrid. One thing we can do is apologize to the supporters. We all wanted to reach the finals and we had failed to achieve it, ” Kaka said to Marca.

“I have been through tough times throughout my career. Yes, we have to deal with this pain together. In fact, we created many scoring opportunities, but did not succeed, ” he added.

Kaka was disappointed not being able to help his club win. Moreover, he was pulled out by coach Manuel Pellegrini, shortly after Lyon equalized in the 75th minute, and was replaced by veteran striker Raul Gonzalez.

“I’m not angry about the substitution, but just could not accept the final result. I was replaced by Raul, who is further more experienced in scoring”

Coming with a 1-0 victory at the Stade Gerland ge, three weeks before, Lyon eliminated Real Madrid from the most prestigious club event in Europe, after ending the second leg in Santiago Bernabeu with a 1-1 draw.

Lyon was under pressure at the beginning of the first half, after Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring. Lucky, young midfielder Miralem Pjanic saved Les Gones with an equalizer at the 75th  minute.

“We were able to avoid a bad first half. Congratulations to the players because they got up in the second half and showed great performance. I think we deserve to be in the quarter finals, ” Puel said.

Yes, Lyon joins Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the quarter-finals. While four other teams ready to follow next week.

The former United star has spent eight seasons with Red Devils, playing in 394 games and scored 85 goals. Beckham came back to Old Trafford despite being opponent this time.

Unfortunately, Beck’s return to the stadium which has raised his name should be tainted with defeat. Milan surrendered 0-4 (7-2 aggregate), and fail to advanced to the next round.

Beck’s mother Sandra, was also seent at Old Trafford and was in the stands of directors. He said: “Coming back to Old Trafford became very emotional. I never underestimate the fans of United. They were always supportive to David and provided a very positive reception.”

Meanwhile, Beckham explained that his mother went to tears. “My mother was crying and my dad probably did too. They could not speak. Last night was a very proud moment for them,” Beckham said.

“I’m disappointed to Milan’s Champions League failure. But, sometimes you have to go home with head held high and dare to say that your opponent played well. I’ve said since before the game. If we can score first, then the game would be easier. But, they were able to play well, ” He added.

Babel insists that there is still plenty of fighting spirit in the squad.

“We definitely still have faith we can get fourth place. It will be harder and it’s important to get three points in every game, as it was before Wigan. That’s why it is so disappointing to have lost, It is frustrating that we had built up some confidence by winning games, but one game can spoil the confidence. The disappointment is very big for everybody, but we have to start again.” Babel said.

Babel did acknowledge that Liverpool had made things hard for themselves at the DW Stadium, though.

“I think we made it difficult for ourselves. In the first half especially, there was space to play football but we failed to do it, then they scored and it was difficult because they were staying behind the ball. In any away game it is hard to score two goals.” he added.

Some serious analysis will be needed ahead of the Reds’ next game, the first leg of a Europa League tie against Lille on Thursday.

“We will analyse the game and then we will know what his thoughts are, We have another important game on Thursday, so we have to be ready and prepared. We cannot be disappointed for too long. We will analyse and watch videos, like we always do, and I am sure we will be good for the game.” He continued.

Boumsong – who joined Lyon from Juventus in 2008 – impressed during his side’s 1-0 Champions League win against Real Madrid earlier this year and his strong performance apparently didn’t go unnoticed in Greece.

The defender’s current Lyon deal is due to expire in the summer of 2011, but the Ligue 1 titans could be tempted to cash in on Boumsong at the end of the season if a good offer comes in.

Piquionne has impressed at Fratton Park this season, scoring ten goals in 33 appearances, but unfortunately, due to portsmouth’s financial problems, it is unlikely Piquionne will stay at Pompey.

“I am 31 yet I have never experienced an atmosphere like that during and after a match, We have lost a lot of matches this season and endured many problems. Yet still the supporters are cheering and applauding us.” He said.

“Now I hope they love me because the last few years in France have not been great for me. I have never won a trophy before in my career and maybe that can change. Whatever happens, I want to stay in England and I am doing all I can to find a club here.”

Grafite’s fitness tests made it clear that the striker’s injury isn’t too serious, but still needs a couple of days to fully recover.

It appears unlikely that the Brazilian hitman will be match fit in time for Thursday’s Europa League match against Rubin Kazan.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly closely monitoring Trochowski and could make a move for the midfielder this summer.

Things have not gone well for the German international this season as he lost his spot in the starting XI.

His current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2011, but the report suggests that the Rothosen are keen to cash in on Trochowski this summer in order to prevent him from leaving on a Bosman move next year.

“The operation was a success and without any complications, If all goes well in his rehabilitation then he could return to training without any restrictions in six months.” said Portuguese specialist, Jose Carlos Noronha.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had previously confirmed that the midfielder will remain sidelined for the remainder of the season.

The two are believed to have provided proof of funds in a Swiss bank account after the deal was apparently brokered by Pini Zahavi, the agent of United defender Rio Ferdinand, who was also involved with Roman Abramovich’s takeover of Chelsea in 2003.

The Asian duo reportedly have no links whatsoever with the Red Knights‘ takeover campaign which has become prominent in recent weeks.