Despite a 2-1 victory at Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions league semifinals, Real Madrid are worried.
Madrid host Bayern in the second leg on Tuesday, but the European champions have struggled in decisive matches at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and are wary of more surprises.
"We have to think about the good things that we did in the first leg in Munich and learn from the match against Juventus at home," said backup Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, referring to the 3-1 loss in the quarterfinals. "If we put all that together and stay focused, we can make history by reaching another final."
Against Juventus, Madrid won 3-0 in Italy in the first leg. There was a festive atmosphere for the second leg, which was supposed to be a mere formality.
But Madrid were surprised by Juventus from the start, quickly squandering their advantage by conceding twice in the first half and once after halftime. The 12-time champions only escaped an embarrassing home elimination thanks to a controversial late penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.
"What we have to do is go out and try to win the match," Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. "That's going to be our goal. We are not going to think too much about anything else. We will try to score as quickly as possible and win the match."
Madrid also relinquished their lead against Bayern in the quarterfinals last season, when they also won 2-1 in Munich in the first leg.
A week later, Bayern sent the match into extra time. Ronaldo, who got both goals in the first leg and one in regulation in the second, scored twice in extra time to complete a hat trick and save Madrid from elimination.
"I don't know how significant the first-leg advantage will be. We know what happened against Juventus and against Bayern last year," Zidane said. "We will need a huge performance. We will need to play like never before this year to be able to advance. We are prepared and we are going to give it all we've got to make it to the final."
Sloppy defence was key for Madrid's home struggles both against Juventus and against Bayern last year. Madrid didn't play poorly but couldn't stop their opponents on the few chances they created. Against Juventus, all three goals came when the Madrid defence failed to clear routine crosses into the area.
Bayern remember last year's match well.
"I think they were floundering for every cross and for every long ball, so we know what we have to do," Bayern striker Sandro Wagner said.
The defence could be a problem for Madrid again on Tuesday as right back Dani Carvajal is out injured and Zidane has few options to replace him. Youngster Achraf Hakimi is Carvajal's immediate substitute but he has not impressed this season.
Nacho Fernandez, a central defender who has played at right back on other occasions, is coming off an injury and it's not clear if he will be available to play.
Zidane said he may consider using forward lucas Vazquez in defense, as he did after Carvajal had to leave the first leg because of his injury.
Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, who used to play as a right back, could also end up on the flank.
"It could be an option," Ramos said. "I can adapt. It wouldn't be a problem for me."