Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas: Our objective is to win both Champions League matches against Olympique Lyonnais

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has underlined his team’s intention to win both its matches against Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League group stage this season.

The Spanish giants welcome Lyon to the Santiago Bernabeu in a Group D clash on Tuesday evening and will travel to France for Matchday Four action on Nov. 2.

Madrid is currently top of the group with six points from two matches, while the French outfit is two points behind in second place.

The nine-time European Cup winners’ record against Lyon in the Champions League, though, is not encouraging as the former French champions have won three and drawn four of their eight meetings since 2005, but last season Jose Mourinho’s side defeated them 4-1 on aggregate in the Round of 16.

Casillas reflected on that victory and the European campaign in 2010-11, and explained that Madrid's aim is to win both games against Remi Garde’s charges this time.

"Our record against Olympique Lyonnais is not in our favor but we managed to defeat them last year and also break the quarterfinal jinx."

"They change players every year but still qualify. They are a tough opponent and this is going to be a great match. Getting the six points out of both the home and away games will be very important for us."

The 30-year-old, much like Mourinho, refused to reveal who between forwards Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema will start against Lyon on Tuesday.

"Higuain is in a good shape," said Casillas. "I've known him for a long time now and his objective is always to score goals."

"We are happy with the excellent run he is having at the moment, but Benzema is also scoring goals and assisting his teammates. It's good for the team that both of them are doing well."