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Champions League Preview: Real Madrid - Zurich
The Spanish league leaders may not be fully focused on the job at hand...
24-Nov-2009 8:38:11 PM
Kick Off: 20:45 CET - Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The Champions League might be dominating many club's thoughts in midweek, but for Real Madrid it is being seen as a warm-up, and something of a distraction, ahead of their weekend trip to Barcelona.
Victory against Zurich is expected and therefore the game has raised only minor expectations in the Spanish capital and the first Clasico looms large on the list of priorities.
Although the thousands of Real Madrid supporters who regularly attend the Santiago Bernabeu are well aware that their team are not playing well at the moment but anything other than a win on Wednesday is unthinkable.
Real Madrid are well positioned in Group C, level on points with leaders AC Milan, but three points against the visiting Swiss is imperative given that their last match is in Marseille, who lie just one point behind.
Hitting top spot in la Primera last weekend made many feel that things are improving at the Bernabeu, but the media were still not happy with several opinion pieces believing that it is only papering over the cracks.
Having spent around €250 million in the summer, both fans and pundits alike are tired of the excuses about the team gelling before they can produce entertaining football.
Milan Inspiration
Zurich arrive in Spain knowing that they have little to lose and will seek inspiration from their earlier group game in Milan when they surprised the Rossoneri and came away with a win.
Star struck the first time they met Los Merengues, the visitors will be keen to ensure that their defence is on top form, even though they have not been at their best in the Swiss league.
Lying eighth in the ten-team table, Zurich have won just five of their opening 16 games this term and are struggling to find any kind of consistency to enable them to play in the Champions League again next season.
A victory for the hosts would see them move out of reach of their opponents on the night and if Milan can prevent Marseille from winning then the group will be almost finalised.
But anything other than a convincing home win and Pellegrini could find the build-up to the bigger game at the weekend has the gloss taken off it.
RECENT FORM
Real Madrid
November 21 v Racing Santander (H) WON 1-0 (La Liga)
November 10 v Alcorcon (H) WON 1-0 (Copa del Rey)
November 7 v Atletico Madrid (A) WON 3-2 (La Liga)
November 3 v AC Milan (A) DREW 1-1 (Champions League)
October 31 v Getafe (H) WON 2-0 (La Liga)
Zurich
November 20 v Basel (A) LOST 4-2 (League)
November 8 v Lucerne (A) LOST 1-0 (League)
November 3 v Marseille (A) LOST 6-1 (Champions League)
October 31 v Sion (H) DREW 1-1 (League)
October 28 v Basel (H) DREW 2-2 (League)
TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid
The big news for the hosts is the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad. The Portuguese star has missed the club's last ten matches after suffering an ankle injury, but could appear in midweek as he prepares to face Barcelona. Raul, Lassana Diarra, Raul Albiol and Sergio Ramos are all included after bouncing back from minor knocks, but Guti is still out injured.
Probable Starting XI: (4-4-2) Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Pepe, Arbeloa; Granero, Lassana Diarra, Alonso, Kaka; Higuain, Benzema.
Zurich
While the hosts' star man maybe back, the visitors will be without theirs after Johan Vonlanthen was ruled out of action. The Colombian-born Swiss international forward suffered a thigh injury in the game against Marseille three weeks ago. Philippe Koch is also still out with an ankle problem picked up in the same game. Long term absentees include Yassine Chikhaoui and Eric Hassli.
Probable Starting XI: (4-2-3-1) Leoni; Stahel, Tihinen, Rochat, Barmettler; Okonkwo, Aegerter; Mehmedi, Margairaz, Djuric; Alphonse.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Having seen Alvaro Negredo leave the club in the summer, the fans were under the impression that the Frenchman would be exceptional as his replacement, but instead he has flattered to deceive and needs to start performing consistently.
Johnny Leoni (Zurich)
The goalkeeper could be in for a busy evening as Madrid forward line will be hoping that the visitors' defence is as porous as it was when the two sides met in Switzerland.
PREDICTION
It would take someone looking for a complete long shot to put any money on Zurich recording an away win or, in fact, picking up a point. Madrid may be stuttering and not performing particularly well, but they should win this encounter.
Real Madrid 3 - 0 Zurich
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
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