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Mahamadou Diarra says he knows what to expect when he travels with his new Real Madrid team mates to his former club Lyon for Wednesday’s Champions League encounter.

Diarra was a member of the Lyon side that easily overcame Real 3-0 in their opening group game last season, but the Mali midfielder is confident things will be different when they meet again at the Stade Gerland.

“It was 3-0 last year and this year it is going to be difficult again,” Diarra told the Real Madrid Web site on Tuesday. “But I’m sure of one thing and that is that I don’t want to go back there to lose.

“I’m familiar with French football and I know what we have to do to avoid losing. We are capable of springing a surprise.”

The 25-year-old joined Real for €26 million during the close season, and the player said he was unsure how of the reception he will receive on his return to Lyon.

“I don’t know how the fans will react,” he said.

“Maybe some people will cheer me for the four seasons that I was there, but I’m not sure. Anyway, I have to be focused on the game and can’t afford to get nervous about that.”

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