Real look to seal the deal at home
6 Nov 2012 7:00 AM IST
Real Madrid go in search of quick revenge against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in the Champions League after suffering a 2-1 reversal in Germany only two weeks ago.
That win for the Germans mean Borussia top Group D on 7 points, 1 more than Madrid, with Ajax on 3 and Manchester City on one.
At the halfway stage of a tough group, the clash will go a long way to deciding which side, if any, can be confident of qualification.
Madrid have hit 13 goals in three games since their German setback, including a 4-0 home win over Zaragoza on Saturday.
German international Sami Khedira missed that victory at the weekend, after struggling with muscular problems since international duty last month but the combative midfielder could possibly return and he is sure his side will make it out of Group D.
‘Madrid will qualify and one other side, I’ll leave it open as to who but obviously being German it would be nice for me if it were Dortmund and I think they deserve to after winning two consecutive leagues, and they are doing well in the Champions this year,’’ he said.
If Khedira does not recover in time Madrid have options in the center, Xabi Alonso who also did not feature against Zaragoza owing to suspension, will almost definitely start. Statistics say that is unlikely, Madrid have won their last seven Champions League ties in the Santiago Bernabeu.
Borussia will have to improve on recent form if they are to make an impression, on Saturday they could only draw 0-0 at home to VfB Stuttgart, and lost captain Sebastian Kehl to a facial injury. Kehl may reappear in the Bernabeu in a special protective mask which he had fitted straight after the game, his appearance would be a big boost for a side that is playing their best football this season in Europe.
‘It seems like only the nose is broken so there is a slim chance that he will be available on Tuesday, it is not ideal to play with such a stupid thing [mask]. But it has to be,’’ said Borussia coach Jurgen Klopp.
A draw in Madrid would leave Dortmund in the driving seat in the group and a cautious approach can be expected from Klopp’s side ahead of their final games away at Ajax and at home to City in the coming month.
Meanwhile, Manchester City host Ajax at the Etihad on Tuesday, Ajax got the better of the English champions 3-1 in match day three at Amsterdam Arena. City need to win their all three matches from now to have a chance of progressing.
Arsenal face Schalke in Germany. The Gunners have six points from three matches and would need to spell a miracle in Germany to salvage points.
That win for the Germans mean Borussia top Group D on 7 points, 1 more than Madrid, with Ajax on 3 and Manchester City on one.
At the halfway stage of a tough group, the clash will go a long way to deciding which side, if any, can be confident of qualification.
Madrid have hit 13 goals in three games since their German setback, including a 4-0 home win over Zaragoza on Saturday.
German international Sami Khedira missed that victory at the weekend, after struggling with muscular problems since international duty last month but the combative midfielder could possibly return and he is sure his side will make it out of Group D.
‘Madrid will qualify and one other side, I’ll leave it open as to who but obviously being German it would be nice for me if it were Dortmund and I think they deserve to after winning two consecutive leagues, and they are doing well in the Champions this year,’’ he said.
If Khedira does not recover in time Madrid have options in the center, Xabi Alonso who also did not feature against Zaragoza owing to suspension, will almost definitely start. Statistics say that is unlikely, Madrid have won their last seven Champions League ties in the Santiago Bernabeu.
Borussia will have to improve on recent form if they are to make an impression, on Saturday they could only draw 0-0 at home to VfB Stuttgart, and lost captain Sebastian Kehl to a facial injury. Kehl may reappear in the Bernabeu in a special protective mask which he had fitted straight after the game, his appearance would be a big boost for a side that is playing their best football this season in Europe.
‘It seems like only the nose is broken so there is a slim chance that he will be available on Tuesday, it is not ideal to play with such a stupid thing [mask]. But it has to be,’’ said Borussia coach Jurgen Klopp.
A draw in Madrid would leave Dortmund in the driving seat in the group and a cautious approach can be expected from Klopp’s side ahead of their final games away at Ajax and at home to City in the coming month.
Meanwhile, Manchester City host Ajax at the Etihad on Tuesday, Ajax got the better of the English champions 3-1 in match day three at Amsterdam Arena. City need to win their all three matches from now to have a chance of progressing.
Arsenal face Schalke in Germany. The Gunners have six points from three matches and would need to spell a miracle in Germany to salvage points.
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