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'The time has come' Real hopes third time is lucky vs. Galatasaray
MADRID (Reuters) -- Real Madrid's bid for a third Champions League crown in four years faces an exacting test on Wednesday when a Galatasaray team that have beaten them twice this season come to the Bernabeu with a 3-2 quarterfinal lead. Real is among the favorites to land the competition for the ninth time in their glittering history after cruising through the opening group stages with some breathtaking attacking football. They displayed uncharacteristic generosity, though, in allowing Galatasaray to come back from two goals down to clinch a 3-2 win in the quarterfinal first leg -- a second success for the UEFA Cup holders after their 2-1 win in the European Super Cup match in Monaco in August. Vicente del Bosque's side, who recovered their best form at the weekend with a 4-0 win over Villarreal, are convinced they can win the one that really matters on Wednesday and go on to secure a semifinal against Manchester United or Bayern Munich. "The time has come to pay back the debt," said skipper Fernando Hierro, who is battling to overcome a thigh injury in time to play. "I believe that the 3-2 defeat from the first leg is not a bad result for us. We're a mature team, capable of achieving a result even if we're not at our best on any given day. "That's the difference between last year's team and this year's. We're very focused on what we want to achieve and we know we can't allow ourselves to be complacent until the final whistle." Ivan Helguera, who will step back to partner Aitor Karanka in defense if Hierro fails to recover in time, agreed that Galatasaray would be facing a very different side to the one that folded in the second half in Istanbul. "This is the most important game of the season so far,' said Helguera, who opened the scoring in the first leg. "We're keen to make up for the defeat two weeks ago and we know we can do it. We have the better team." With Fernando Morientes injured, del Bosque will pair Raul with Guti, the young forward who scored a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday. Brazilian winger Savio, who was outstanding at the weekend in a rare start, is likely to be back on the bench, with Steve McManaman and Luis Figo taking the wide positions. Hagi hopes Romanian midfielder Gheorghe Hagi, picked out by Hierro as the danger man for Galatasaray, is determined the meeting with his former team will not be his last club game on the European stage. "This will not be my last match in Europe," said the 36-year-old, who is due to retire from club football at the end this season. "I am sure we will go through. I aim to end my career on a high." Galatasaray arrive in Madrid after securing a return to their customary position at the top of the Turkish first division. They are seeking an unprecedented fifth consecutive Turkish title this year and are equal on points with Fenerbahce. The side's hopes of keeping the clean sheet that would take them through to the last four will be hit by the absence of Romanian central defensive rock Gheorghe Popescu through suspension. His place in the middle alongside captain Bulent Korkmaz is likely to be taken by Brazilian Capone, allowing Fatih Akyel to play at right-back with Ergun Penbe on the left. Akyel's second-half substitution in the first leg of the tie in Istanbul provided much of the momentum for Galatasaray's astounding comeback from two goals down to win 3-2. Coach Mircea Lucescu's midfield is at full strength and almost certain to be built around the diminutive but effective pair of Emre Belozoglu and Okan Buruk. Midfielders Umit Davala and Hasan Sas will play further forward, aiming to link with striker Mario Jardel. That leaves Romanian playmaker Gheorghe Hagi with his customary free role that allows the veteran playmaker to drift in and out of play. Possible teams: Real Madrid: 25-Iker Casillas; 2-Michel Salgado, 18-Aitor Karanka, 4-Fernando Hierro, 3-Roberto Carlos; 6-Ivan Helguera, 24-Claude Makelele, 10-Luis Figo, 8-Steve McManaman; 7-Raul, 14-Guti Galatasaray: 1-Claudio Tafarrel; 3-Bulent Korkmaz, 35-Capone, 14-Fatih Akyel, 67-Ergun Penbe; 5-Emre Belozoglu, 7-Okan Buruk, 10-Gheorghe Hagi, 22-Umit Davala, 11-Hasan Sas; 9-Mario Jardel Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden) Del Bosque sounds Real rallying callMADRID -- Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque has urged his players to use their heads when they attempt to overturn a 3-2 deficit in Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Galatasaray. In the first-leg in Istanbul two weeks ago, Real persisted with an attack-minded game after taking a 2-0 lead by halftime and paid the price as the Turkish side came back to win 3-2. "We need to play with order, intelligence and aggression," del Bosque said at a news conference on Tuesday. "I hope we see the Real Madrid from the first half of the first game and we'll have enough to settle the tie over 90 minutes. "We'll attempt to play just as we have done in other Champions League matches this season, based on discipline and the individual quality of our players. "But we have to be prepared to play effectively rather than aesthetically if that's what's required. We've also used those tactics many times." The eight-times European Cup winners are bidding for their third Champions League title in four seasons and are eight points clear in the race for the domestic title. "The European Cup is special for Real Madrid and our fans," added del Bosque. "They always make the Bernabeu a vibrant place on European nights. "We've had a very good season so far and the supporters will recognise that and fill the stadium." Full-back Michel Salgado stressed the importance of a 75,000 full house on Wednesday. "It will be a very complicated game but we're determined to give it everything," he said. "We hope it's going to be one of those magic nights at the Bernabeu, with the fans acting as a 12th player for us. "We know we can't afford to fail but we just need one goal. It's not an enormous task, although we know they're a dangerous side who can also cause us problems."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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