Tuesday, March 13, 2012

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14.03. (Wed) 20:45 Real - CSKA Moskva

Champions League: PFC CSKA Moskva v Real Madrid CF: Mesut Ozil (C), Georgi Schennikov (R), Evgeni Aldonin (L)
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PROBABLE LINEUPS


REAL MADRID

Casillas
Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo
Khedira, AlonsoOzil, Kaka, Ronaldo
Benzema
CSKA MOSCOW

Chepchugov
A Bere'ski, V Bere'ski, Igna'vich, Schennikov
Wernbloom, MamaevDzagoev, Honda, Musa
Doumbia

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema could get the nod in attack for Wednesday's crunch Champions League last-16 decider against CSKA Moscow, after overcoming a groin problem and appearing as a late substitute in the win over Real Betis during the weekend.

Portuguese full-back Fabio Coentrao (groin) is unlikely to be fit in time for the clash, while Angel Di Maria (thigh) is still sidelined.

CSKA have been handed a boost with the return to fitness of playmaker Keisuke Honda, who overcame a thigh injury to start Friday's 1-1 draw against Dinamo Moscow.

Pavel Mamaev and Kirill Nababkin are both available again after serving one-match suspensions, while long-term absentees Igor Akinfeev and Mark Gonzalez remain sidelined.

The Russian side need to score to have any chance of progressing, as Cristiano Ronaldo's strike in the first leg in Moscow gives the Spaniards the advantage on the away goals rule.

DID YOU KNOW?
  • Real Madrid have won 30 of their last 34 games in all competitions, finding the net in every match during that sequence.
  • Los Blancos have lost just one of the nine home fixtures against Russian opponents, going down 3-1 to Spartak Moscow in the 1990-91 European Cup quarter-final.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured right) has netted nine times in his last six appearances for Madrid.
  • CSKA Moscow have lost just one of their last 12 away matches in all competitions, winning three and drawing eight.
  • The Russian side are unbeaten against Spanish opposition in six outings (W3, D3).
  • Should CSKA win against Madrid, it would represent their 50th victory in Uefa club competitions.
Prediction
Pontus Wernbloom's late leveller in Moscow gives CSKA hope, but Real Madrid were by far the better side in the first leg, and their scintillating form this season suggests they should have little trouble dispatching the Russian side at the Bernabeu.
Editor's Prediction
Real Madrid 3-0 CSKA Moscow