Needing at least three goals to reach the final for the 13th time, Real Madrid is ready to go after the “impossible.”
Real are out to overturn last week’s 4-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the Champions league semifinals on Tuesday. A tall task, but one that Madrid has done in the past. “This is our last chance to put things right,” midfielder Sami Khedira said. “In the first leg, we didn’t convince as a team and we produced a weak performance. Now we have to achieve the impossible.”
Nearly 40 years ago, Madrid recovered from the same deficit against English club Derby, winning 5-1 in extra time in the second leg and advancing to the European Cup quarterfinals. In the 1985 UEFA Cup, Madrid won 3-0 in the second leg after a 2-0 loss to Inter Milan.
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said a comeback is possible. But he will likely need Cristiano Ronaldo, who has recently returned to full training following a thigh injury, to play a key role. The Portugal forward scored his 50th goal in the competition in first leg, giving Madrid a valuable away goal that would put them into the final with a 3-0 victory.
Dortmund, however, is unbeaten in Europe this year. Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp made 10 changes to the side for Saturday’s 2-1 win at Fortuna Duesseldorf in the Bundesliga. “The lads did brilliantly,” Klopp said. “Pride is the right word, because it can’t be taken for granted.”
Robert lewandowski, who scored all four goals in the first leg, came on as a substitute, and the striker’s Bundesliga scoring streak ended at a club record 12 straight games.
For Tuesday’s match, Dortmund has injury concerns over defender lukasz Piszczek, who was left out against Duesseldorf with a groin strain, and Ilkay Guendogan, who had neck problems. Mario Goetze was left out with muscular problems but should be fit to play in Madrid.
Ronaldo also sat out last weekend’s games, missing the 2-1 derby win at Atletico Madrid on Saturday. But with 51 goals in 50 games this season Ronaldo will be the focus of Dortmund’s defense.
Besides Ronaldo, Mourinho will be able to count on Alvaro Arbeloa in defense after his return from suspension, and Angel Di Maria is also available. But whoever is on the field, Madrid needs goals. “It was clear in the beginning, when the draw was made, that we’d have to go there and fight to get through,” Klopp said. “We’ve improved our starting position. Of course, Madrid believe they can get through. It won’t be a stroll in the park.”
Sociedad beat Valencia
BARCElONA: Real Sociedad striker Imanol Agirretxe scored two goals and set up a third in a highly entertaining 4-2 comeback win over Valencia on Sunday.
Sociedad’s victory strengthened hold on fourth place and Spain’s last Champions league berth by increasing its lead to five points over fifth-place Valencia with five rounds left.
Juve get closer to title
MIlAN: Juventus needed two late goals to beat Torino 2-0 in the Derby della Mole on Sunday as the defending champion inched closer to its 29th title.
Arturo Vidal scored three minutes from time to give Juventus the victory, shortly after Torino had been denied what looked a clear penalty. Torino defender Kamil Glik was then sent off in the final minute before Claudio Marchisio sealed the result.
Antonio Conte’s team is 11 points ahead of second-place Napoli and can secure the title against Palermo next weekend. AC Milan remained third in the battle for the last Champions league spot.