What: Champions League – Quarter-final first leg
Who: APOEL vs Real Madrid
When: Tuesday 27th March, 2012, at 19:45 UK time
Where: GSP stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus
Difficult Odds
Can a game be any more a case of David versus Goliath? Having made history by being the first side from Cyprus to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League, APOEL are probably facing their biggest challenge ever as they prepare to face Europe’s old kings, Real Madrid.
The mind games have certainly started between the two sides, with APOEL goalkeeper Urko Pardo criticising Mourinho for the eye poke that the Portuguese delivered to Barcelona assistant manager Tito Vilanova back when the two met last August in the Spanish Super Cup.
“Mourinho exceeded the limits [of what is acceptable]. Although this is a business, I still see football as a sport. I am against his kind of violent attitude, like putting his finger in the eye of Tito Vilanova."
The former Barcelona youth shot-stopper also slammed Mourinho for the Portuguese’s confusion over APOEL’s name, claiming that the former Chelsea boss was just using his own mind games. “It was no mistake. He did it on purpose. It’s all part of his game."
No Crisis
Backs against the wall, only a win would do for Real Madrid at the weekend and prevent their league season from turning into a catastrophe. Luckily for the side, retribution came at the expense of Real Sociedad, who folded at the Bernabeu 5-1 on Saturday night. Now, the team have to put an early foot in the Champions League semi-final when they travel east to face minnows APOEL, knowing that a potential banana skin could await them in Cyprus.
Real Madrid’s refusal to speak to the press continued after the game against Real Sociedad, despite the satisfying win, something that was defended by director Emilio Butragueno.
“On Wednesday [against Villarreal] the game was strange. It was weird, there was much tension. And I am saying that, after having spent 25 years in football. The decision [to boycott the press] is the club’s and there is nothing more to it."
With seven wins and a draw so far in the competition, Real Madrid will fancy their chances of coming back home with win. However, APOEL have won five out of their seven games on home soil – they entered through the second qualifying phase. Therefore, the Cypriots might be a nuisance for Los Blancos on the night.
Recent form
APOEL:
APOEL 1-0 Enosis Neon Paralimni (12/03; Cypriot First Division)
Anagennisi Dherynia 1-2 APOEL (17/03; Cypriot First Division)
APOEL 0-0 Omonoia (23/03; Cypriot First Division)
Real Madrid:
Real Madrid 1-1 Malaga (18/03; La Liga)
Villarreal 1-1 Real Madrid (21/03; La Liga)
Real Madrid 5-1 Real Sociedad (24/03; La Liga)
Key absences
APOEL: None
Real Madrid: Jose Callejon; Ricardo Carvalho; Angel di Maria; Xabi Alonso (suspended)
Players to watch
APOEL – Paulo Jorge: The ex-Braga defender will be hopeful that his team does not suffer the same fate as Real Sociedad. Jorge’s experience could prove crucial in helping APOEL to cope with Cristiano Ronaldo and co.
Real Madrid – Karim Benzema: The Frenchman was unplayable against Real Sociedad, scoring a brace – the second being a wonderful lob over the goalkeeper. On form, Benzema is one of Europe’s best strikers, and he will be expected to bag a few goals when facing the Cypriots.
Match Prediction
APOEL remain a tough side to beat at home, but the fact of the matter is that the gulf in class between these two is enormous. Real Madrid appear to have steered things back to normal and they will be expected to continue doing so against Cyprus’ champions. Expect them to return home with a precious 2-1 result.
This APOEL v Real Madrid match is when the Champions League gets serious. But who will win? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.
