Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Date: Wednesday, 3rd April K/o: 19:45
Team News
Real Madrid are set to had recalls to Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria for tonight's Champions League quarter-final clash with Galatasaray after the trio were rested at the weekend. Raphael Varane and Fabio Coentrao are also pushing for a return to Jose Mourinho's starting XI, but goalkeeper Iker Casillas will again miss out in spite of having recovered from a hand injury. Diego Lopez will continue to deputise in goal. Galatasaray will be hoping Burak Yilmaz can continue his mean run of form tonight and the joint highest scorer in this season's competition is set to partner former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba up front. Johan Elmander has travelled to the Spanish capital as the former Bolton Wanderers striker steps up his recovery from a foot injury. Former Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder is set to start in midfield.
Match Preview
There are some who suggest Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid can count themselves very lucky to have advanced to this stage of the competition following their controversial victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford last month, yet the reining Spanish champions will not care one jot as they go in search of La Decima - a tenth European crown. Tonight though they once more come up against tough European opposition in the shape of Turkish side Galatasaray, who are making only their first appearance at the last-eight stage in 12 years. Yet they should not be underestimated. They have a squad bursting with players with reams of European experience such as Felipe Melo, Fernando Muslera and former Arsenal player Emmanuel Eboue, and their squad also features two players who will be very familiar to Jose Mourinho. Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba is set to lead the line tonight, and will be supported in midfield by Wesley Sneijder, who won the Champions League with Mourinho in 2010 with Inter Milan. The stage is set then for a mouth-watering affair packed full of nostalgia, world class talent and, hopefully, the odd goal or two.
Likely Line-Ups
Real Madrid Lopez, Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao, Khedira, Alonso, Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo, Benzema
Galatasaray Muslera, Eboue, Semih, Nounkeu, Riera, Altintop, Melo, Selcuk, Sneijder, Drogba, Burak Source:
Sky Sports