Real Sociedad 0 - Olympique Lyon 1

Real Sociedad: Westerveld; López Rekarte, Kvarme, Schürrer, Aranzábal; Xabi Alonso (Aranburu 74'), Alkiza; Karpin, Nihat (De Paula 80'), Gabilondo (Lee Chun Soo 64'); Kovacevic. 4-2-3-1.
Lyon: Coupet; Deflandre, Müller, Edmilson, Sartre (Berthod 66'); Juninho, Essien; Diarra, Govou (Dhorasoo 80'), Malouda ; Luyindula. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 18. Schürrer (own goal). Turned Malouda's cross past Westerveld.

Real Sociedad showed their recent inexperience in the Champions' League when they fell 0-1 at home to Lyon, and now need to put in an epic performance in the return leg in a fortnight's time if they are to stay in the competition. The Basque side had been undefeated in 24 European matches at home dating back to 1975, but they went behind early on when Schürrer turned Malouda's cross past his own keeper. Nihat brought a one-handed save out of Coupet soon afterwards, but otherwise Real were unable to find a way past a well ordered defence, and Westerveld had to make a couple of first class saves himself from Luyindula and Essien to stop the French side from going further ahead before the break.

Denoueix decided not to change things though at the break, but the rapid Lyon forwards could easily have scored a couple more with a bit more luck. Westerveld made a finger tip save from Juninho's free kick and the Brazilian put another shot wide, and Westerveld was called on again to stop a shot close up from substitute Dhorasoo (the Dutch keeper actually broke a finger in the second half but carried on bravely to the end). The Spaniards did finally come close to equalising when a vicious Karpin free kick bounced down off the crossbar with ten minutes to go, but Malouda could have got a second for the visitors when he hit the post in the dying minutes.