The
big day is here and with it there's just one thought on everyone's
minds: pulling off a comeback. Both the team and the fans have been
focused on this objective right since the final whistle was blown in
Wolfsburg. Today the Santiago Bernabéu will
be engulfed in the unique atmosphere generated by big nights of
football. Real Madrid have 90 minutes in which to turn the 2-0 deficit
around and seal their place in the Champions League semi-finals for the
sixth successive campaign. The backing of the home faithful and the
side's ability to battle on in adversity are factors weighing in Real
Madrid's favour. But of more importance than any of this is what happens
out on the pitch, and this is where the players are focused on proving
that they deserve to make it through.
Whilst very few expected the first-leg result, this team has shown on numerous occasions just what it is capable of, and the statistics are there to support them. For example, the fact they have chalked up an average of four goals per home game since Zinedine Zidane's appointment, and then there's the goalscoring record in this season's four Champions League clashes at the Bernabéu, which reads 15 goals for and none against. The Whites' forward line will be led by the competition's leading marksman, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 13 goals to his name.
Zidane has called up all of the members of his squad, plus Borja Mayoral. Many of these players have expressed words of optimism over the course of the last few days. Sergio Ramos took to social media to declare that: "This badge doesn't win games, but it compels us to win them". Cristiano Ronaldo has also insisted that: "It'll be a magical night and with the fans' support we will make it through". These sentiments were echoed by Real Madrid's French coach in his pre-match press conference, when he stated that: "This club has produced some extraordinary comebacks during its history and we're ready for this".
Whilst very few expected the first-leg result, this team has shown on numerous occasions just what it is capable of, and the statistics are there to support them. For example, the fact they have chalked up an average of four goals per home game since Zinedine Zidane's appointment, and then there's the goalscoring record in this season's four Champions League clashes at the Bernabéu, which reads 15 goals for and none against. The Whites' forward line will be led by the competition's leading marksman, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 13 goals to his name.
Zidane has called up all of the members of his squad, plus Borja Mayoral. Many of these players have expressed words of optimism over the course of the last few days. Sergio Ramos took to social media to declare that: "This badge doesn't win games, but it compels us to win them". Cristiano Ronaldo has also insisted that: "It'll be a magical night and with the fans' support we will make it through". These sentiments were echoed by Real Madrid's French coach in his pre-match press conference, when he stated that: "This club has produced some extraordinary comebacks during its history and we're ready for this".
THE SANTIAGO BERNABÉU WILL GENERATE THE SORT OF ATMOSPHERE IT ALWAYS DOES ON BIG NIGHTS OF FOOTBALL.
Whilst Real Madrid may be approaching the game as if it were a cup final, exactly the same can be said of Wolfsburg. After
the excellent result achieved on home soil, the Germans head to
the Bernabéu bidding to claim an historic semi-final berth. On the back
of this weekend's 1-1 stalemate against Mainz, Hecking's charges are
confident of producing their best tonight, with André Schürrle warning
that: "We'll be playing at 100 million per cent and we'll run as if our
lives depend on it".
Wolfsburg's away record in the competition reads two wins and two defeats, six goals for and six against and Real Madrid will have to be wary of the Germans' intensity levels and the pace they possess up front. Tonight the team and the fans will join forces as Real Madrid bid to serve up another magical night at the Bernabéu.
Wolfsburg's away record in the competition reads two wins and two defeats, six goals for and six against and Real Madrid will have to be wary of the Germans' intensity levels and the pace they possess up front. Tonight the team and the fans will join forces as Real Madrid bid to serve up another magical night at the Bernabéu.
