What: Champions League Quarter-final (second leg)
Who: Real Madrid (3) vs APOEL (0) (first leg score in brackets)
When: Wednesday 4th April, 2012, at 19:45 UK time
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain

More Than Just a Formality

Real Madrid were surely dealt the easiest Champions League quarter-final tie when the draw pitted them against minnows APOEL. Facing a potential banana skin fixture at Nicosia’s GSP stadium, Los Blancos eventually managed to cut through their opponents to win 3-0 in the last fifteen minutes. Now, Jose Mourinho’s men will have to kill this tie at the Bernabeu in order to face either Marseille or Bayern Munich in the next round.

Recent draws against Malaga and Villarreal had allowed doubt to creep into the team, as the side conceded twice in the last ten minutes after having been in front. However, valuable wins have since been recorded, with a 5-1 score repeating itself against Real Sociedad and Osasuna – at the latter’s Reyno de Navarro stadium, no less.

While this game may seem like a formality, midfielder Esteban Granero has refused to believe his side are through yet.

“We want to make a good impression at our stadium against APOEL”, said the Spaniard. “We may have a good result on aggregate, but we cannot believe we’re through to the next round just yet."

Heavy favourites to come out of this one as victors, it would be an utter catastrophe should Real Madrid fold on the night.

No Chance of a Comeback

It seems that after 90 minutes of football in the first leg, APOEL’s Champions League dream will come to a halt here. Having capitulated 3-0 at home, the team from Cyprus literally need a miracle in order to progress.

APOEL have lost all ten ties when they suffered home first-leg defeats, and the Cypriots may have already surrendered to their fate, according to coach Ivan Jovanovic, who hinted after the first leg that a comeback was impossible for his side.

“The result was fair. We tried to contain them but they upped their tempo towards the end and we could not hold on. Real Madrid are in the semi-finals; there is no question about that. I even believe that they will reach the final and, hopefully, win it”, concluded the Serbian.

APOEL’s only chance of winning is to face Real Madrid’s usual bench-warmers; even then however, there remains a task and a half for the Cypriot champions.

Recent form

Real Madrid:
Real Madrid 5-1 Real Sociedad (24/03; La Liga)
APOEL 0-3 Real Madrid (27/03; Champions League)
Osasuna 1-5 Real Madrid (31/03; La Liga)

APOEL:
APOEL 0-0 Omonoia (23/03; Cypriot First Division)
APOEL 0-3 Real Madrid (27/03; Champions League)
Omonoia 1-2 APOEL (31/03; Cypriot First Division)

Key absences

Real Madrid: Sami Khedira; Lassana Diarra; Jose Callejon; Ricardo Carvalho

APOEL: None


Players to watch

Real Madrid – Nuri Sahin: Mourinho will undoubtedly rest a number of his key players for this one, and as such, Sahin is expected to get the nod in midfield. Having put on a good display back when the two sides met last week, the Turkish midfielder will have another chance to polish his image in front of the Bernabeu fans.

APOEL – Ailton: The Brazilian displayed some nice touches in the first leg, menacing the Merengue defence before being isolated as his side fought hard to contain the growing pressure. Now, Ailton faces the biggest challenge of his career as he attempts to stir APOEL back into this.

Match Prediction

Expect the usual big names to sit this one out as Mourinho rests some stars after seeing his side’s La Liga lead slashed in recent weeks. As such, fringe players such as Antonio Adan, Hamit Altintop and Raul Albiol are likely to show up on the night. However, this tie is effectively over. Expect Real Madrid to come up with another high-profile win.


This Real Madrid v APOEL match must be a home win, surely? Who will you bet on? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.