APOEL - Real Madrid Preview Match

Jose Mourinho's men look to gain first-leg advantage over Cypriots

March 27, 2012 7:45 PM BST
Neo GSP — Strovolos

Team News

APOEL Nicosia

Gustavo Manduca is suspended after being sent off against Lyon in the last round. Esteban Solari could fill in for him on the left flank.

Former Chelsea player Nuno Morais will continue in midfield alongside Helder Sousa. Jorge, Oliveira, Solari, Trickovski, Alexandrou and Marcinho are all one yellow card away from being suspended in the second leg.

probable lineups : Pardo, Boaventura, Jorge, Oliviera, Poursaitidis, Sousa, Morais, Solari, Trickovski, Charalambides, Ailton. (4-2-3-1). 

7 Mar 2012	APOEL 1 - Olympique Lyonnais 0
14 Feb 2012	Olympique Lyonnais 1 - APOEL 0
6 Dec 2011	APOEL 0 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2
23 Nov 2011	Zenit 0 - APOEL 0
1 Nov 2011	APOEL 2 - Porto 1

Real Madrid

Holding midfielder Xabi Alonso is suspended after picking up his 3rd yellow card in the Champions League this season against CSKA last time out. Ricardo Carvalho is still absent due to injury, along with Di Maria and Coentrao. Sergio Ramos is likely to play at centre back with Arbeloa coming in at right-back, while Granero will likely play in Alonso's place.

probable lineups : Casillas, Arbeola, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Khedira, Granero, Kaka, Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain. (4-2-3-1).

 

24 Mar 2012	Real Madrid 5 - Real Sociedad 1
21 Mar 2012	Villarreal 1 - Real Madrid 1
18 Mar 2012	Real Madrid 1 - Málaga 1
14 Mar 2012	Real Madrid 4 - CSKA Moscow 1
10 Mar 2012	Betis 2 - Real Madrid 3

 

Match Facts 

Real Madrid have won 7 of their last 8 matches in UEFA Champions League.

Real Madrid have been winning at both half time and full time in 6 of their last 7 matches in UEFA Champions League.

Real Madrid have scored at least 3 goals in 5 of their last 7 matches in UEFA Champions League.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 6 of APOEL Nicosia's last 7 games in UEFA Champions League.

 

Prediction 

APOEL's dream run continues, and they now face European giants Real Madrid in what is the club's biggest ever match, having overcome Lyon on penalties in the previous round. They do, however, face something of an uphill task if they are to overcome Real Madrid.

 

Of the 16 sides who made it through to the knockout stages, Real have averaged the most shots per game in this season's Champions League, with 18.8, while APOEL have had the fewest, with just 6.5. This game could well follow a similar pattern, and even though the home atmosphere will play a part, Real will undoubtedly dominate possession and the shot count as per usual.

 

The Cypriot side have done amazingly well to get this far in the competition, and, having won 5 and lost 0 of their last 7 games in all competitions, they will have soaring confidence. Beating the Spanish giants, though, will be too much of an ask, even with the atmosphere created by their vibrant home fans. Real should take a lead back to the Bernabeu and make it through to the semi finals.

APOEL Nicosia  0 - 1  Real Madrid