before the match Real Madrid vs Lyon

“Against Lyon we expect a Bernabeu worthy of great European nights," said Iker Casillas after Saturday's match against Hercules. The Real Madrid captain is well aware of the history of the Club and knows the legend of the most successful team in Europe was forged in magical evenings that will never be forgotten and that made the "spirit of the Bernabeu" and "stage fright" at the stadium well known. A great part of that history unfolded in the 1970s and 1980s against sides like Derby County, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Anderlecht or Red Star. Fans will get a chance to relive those magical nights when the team clashes with Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday.

The start of it all

Few remember one of the first great European evenings in Real Madrid history. It happened in the 1959/60 campaign, during which the team won its fifth European Cup title with coach Miguel Muñoz. Before reaching the best final in history, in which they defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3, Real Madrid had to get rid of Nice in the quarterfinals. They fell 3-2 in the first leg in the French town, but the Bernabeu showcased its mighty spirit and helped the team win 4-0 in the return leg.

The battle with Derby County

The legend of great European nights grew in stature in the Last 16 of the 1975/76 season against Derby County. It's been 30 years since the tie, but Madridistas still have vivid memories of it. Real Madrid lost 4-1 at Baseball Ground in the first leg due to giving a weak performance, but they recovered and, led by legends such as Amancio and Santillana, managed to win 5-1 at the Bernabeu.

Bernabeu "stage fright" is born

The Quinta del Buitre made their mark when the team was fighting to win the UEFA Cup in the 1984/85 season (and eventually did). The Madridistas faced Yugoslavian side Rijeka in the Round of 32, losing 3-1 in the first leg and winning the return match at the Bernabeu 3-0.

They then had to face Anderlecht, who won 3-0 in Belgium. The harsh defeat required a spectacular victory at the Bernabeu in order to reach the next round. The atmosphere at the stadium that December night was truly spectacular and helped the team win 6-1: Bernabeu "stage fright" was born.

The 1985/86 UEFA Cup (which Real also won) saw more of the same. AEK Athens fell at the Bernabeu 5-0 in the first round; in the Last 16 Real Madrid lost 5-1 in Germany against Borussia Monchengladbach and won 4-0 at the Bernabeu; and in the semis against Inter Milan, Madrid lost 3-1 in Italy and won 5-1 in the Spanish capital. The next European comeback took place the following season in the European Cup quarterfinals against Red Star: Real Madrid lost 4-2 away from Spain, but their 2-0 victory at the Bernabeu allowed them to reach the semifinals.

Casillas's unforgettable memories

"My favourite Champions League memory is the Real Madrid-Bayern Munich match in which we had to come back from a 2-1 defeat in the first leg. The crowd gave us all of its support. It wasn't easy, but we scored two goals in the second half." The captain remembers that incredible tie of the 2001/02 season, in which Real Madrid won their ninth European Cup title.