Madrid Stars Favour Diarrà Over Huntelaar

The dilemma over which player Real Madrid should choose to play in the Champions League for them this term took a twist when it was reported that the squad have made their opinion known.

Dec 31, 2008 9:38:49 AM

Real Madrid's latest signing Lassana Diarra holds up the famous white shirt during his presentation to the media (Marca)

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Real Madrid's players would prefer to see Lassana Diarrà given the nod over Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, should the club have to choose between which of the pair to include in their Champions League squad, according to a report.

Los Merengues are preparing to try and bend the rules to have both players registered, despite UEFA already stating that the guidelines will only allow one of them to play.

Marca state that their reporters at Madrid's training ground have been told that due to his versatility and defensive strengths, they would rather have Diarrà to face Liverpool.

"In the return leg in the Bernabéu we have to keep a clean sheet," the paper quotes senior members of the Spanish champions' squad as saying.

The players believe that the former Arsenal, Chelsea and Portsmouth midfielder would be able to help protect the defence as well as being able to fill in at right-back.

Madrid's quest to see UEFA's rule that only one of three players that can be registered for the second phase of the Champions League can have played in the UEFA Cup for another club this season.

Diarrà has appeared for Portsmouth while Huntelaar has played for Ajax, and Los Merengues have refuted claims that they did not realise that they would have to choose between them as a result.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

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