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Match - Wed 25 April, 20:45,
| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 7. Cristiano Ronaldo (6’) | 10. Arjen Robben (28’) |
| 7. Cristiano Ronaldo (14’) |
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3
Penalty Shoot Out
Madrid relying on Bernabeu factor
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
Real Madrid will rely on their home form when they meet Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
The Whites lost the first leg 2-1 in Munich and need to score at least one unanswered goal to progress to the final.
Madrid have won all five of their home matches this season, scoring 22 goals and conceding five, and forward Cristiano Ronaldo is confident that their fans will have a big impact on the outcome.
"I expect the Bernabeu to score the first goal. The crowd has to play the most important role as soon as we step onto the pitch because we can feel it,” said Ronaldo via the club’s website.
Real will also go into this clash with high spirits following their 2-1 win over Barcelona over the weekend which almost guarantees them the La Liga title.
However, Ronaldo admits that they have to be wary of the Bayern forwards, including Franck Ribery and Mario Gomez, scorers of the two goals during the first leg.
“We're more concerned about Bayern's forwards. Gomez is one of the Champions League's top scorers, and Ribery and (Arjen) Robben are also very dangerous,” said Ronaldo.
“They are solid in attack and also in defence, but we have to focus on their four forwards because one of them will make the difference."
Ronaldo set up Mesut Ozil’s valuable away goal, but he believes that the tie is still balanced and trusts his side to reach their 13th final in the history of the competition.
"What happened in Munich was neither positive nor negative,” he said.
“We're in good form and I'm sure we'll win at home because we'll have the support of our fans. It will be a difficult match but I'm hopeful.”
Jupp Heynckes’ side on the other hand have been inconsistent on the road this season, winning three and losing two of their six away games.
Although they have already lost the Bundesliga race to Borussia Dortmund, they did manage a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen in their last league outing to boost their confidence ahead of this clash.
Fullback Phillip Lahm, who did well to keep Ronaldo under control during the first leg and also created the winning goal for Gomez, says they are prepared for an onslaught from the home side.
"Madrid are going to have to come at us,” Lahm told UEFA.com.
“We are expecting another 90 minutes of hard work.
"It's going to be a tough battle in the second leg; these are two top teams up against one another and at this level it's the smallest things which can make the difference."
The last time Bayern Munich visited the Bernabeu was in 2007 when they lost 3-2 and a similar result would see them going through on the away goal rule.
The Whites lost the first leg 2-1 in Munich and need to score at least one unanswered goal to progress to the final.
Madrid have won all five of their home matches this season, scoring 22 goals and conceding five, and forward Cristiano Ronaldo is confident that their fans will have a big impact on the outcome.
"I expect the Bernabeu to score the first goal. The crowd has to play the most important role as soon as we step onto the pitch because we can feel it,” said Ronaldo via the club’s website.
Real will also go into this clash with high spirits following their 2-1 win over Barcelona over the weekend which almost guarantees them the La Liga title.
However, Ronaldo admits that they have to be wary of the Bayern forwards, including Franck Ribery and Mario Gomez, scorers of the two goals during the first leg.
“We're more concerned about Bayern's forwards. Gomez is one of the Champions League's top scorers, and Ribery and (Arjen) Robben are also very dangerous,” said Ronaldo.
“They are solid in attack and also in defence, but we have to focus on their four forwards because one of them will make the difference."
Ronaldo set up Mesut Ozil’s valuable away goal, but he believes that the tie is still balanced and trusts his side to reach their 13th final in the history of the competition.
"What happened in Munich was neither positive nor negative,” he said.
“We're in good form and I'm sure we'll win at home because we'll have the support of our fans. It will be a difficult match but I'm hopeful.”
Jupp Heynckes’ side on the other hand have been inconsistent on the road this season, winning three and losing two of their six away games.
Although they have already lost the Bundesliga race to Borussia Dortmund, they did manage a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen in their last league outing to boost their confidence ahead of this clash.
Fullback Phillip Lahm, who did well to keep Ronaldo under control during the first leg and also created the winning goal for Gomez, says they are prepared for an onslaught from the home side.
"Madrid are going to have to come at us,” Lahm told UEFA.com.
“We are expecting another 90 minutes of hard work.
"It's going to be a tough battle in the second leg; these are two top teams up against one another and at this level it's the smallest things which can make the difference."
The last time Bayern Munich visited the Bernabeu was in 2007 when they lost 3-2 and a similar result would see them going through on the away goal rule.
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