Real Madrid News

The 25-year-old says the Blancos must focus on the task in hand before their semi-final place is secured, but adds he is not worried about the atmosphere in Istanbul on Tuesday

Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao has warned of complacency ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Galatasaray.

The Liga giants head into the conclusion of the tie with a healthy advantage after their 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu last week, prompting some to believe Tuesday’s second leg is a mere formality for Jose Mourinho’s men.

Coentrao, however, has stressed there is still work to be done before thinking about the semi-finals.

“We haven’t won anything yet. We have a healthy advantage from the first leg, but we have to negotiate a difficult game [in the return leg] if we want to achieve our objective of reaching the semi-finals,” he told reporters in a press conference.

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old also says los Blancos will be unperturbed by the intimidating atmosphere inside the Turk Telecom Arena.

“We’re used to playing in atmospheres like this,” he said.

“Only if we stay calm and do our job well will we get the result we want. We can’t let the atmosphere get to us,” added the Portugal international.

The Galatasaray boss says has acknowledged that his side have a tough task in beating Real Madrid by four goals but stressed that football can be unpredictable

Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim believes his side’s Champions league tie against Real Madrid is not completely over.

The Turkish champions lost 3-0 in the first leg in Istanbul and while the former AC Milan coach is anticipating a tough encounter, he has promised that his side will give their all.

“Anything is possible in football but when you are playing against Real Madrid things are not so easy,” said the 59-year-old coach.

“Galatasaray will try everything. I am sure about the ambition and enthusiasm of my players. We have prepared ourselves for any kind of result.

“Real Madrid are one of the best teams in the world. We wanted to play football against Real Madrid and we did so. I believe we will play an entertaining game in front of our fans.

“The result will not be important. Galatasaray’s targets never change. If there is a target, then Galatasaray try to achieve it.”

The Turks will be without star striker Burak Yilmaz due to suspension and Terim acknowledged that the former Trabzonspor forward’s absence is a big blow.

“We have lost one of the most important players of Champions League,” he continued.

“Today I gave a special permission for Burak Yılmaz to rest, because he will do special training tomorrow. He has not rested since the start of the season so he deserved it.”

Galatasaray and Real Madrid kick off at 20:45CET in Istanbul on Tuesday.

The Blancos boss has called his men to stay focused ahead of their clash with Galatasaray as he is expecting a difficult encounter

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has warned that his team “have not won anything yet” ahead of the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie at Galatasaray.

The Spanish champions are in pursuit of their 10th European title and hold a commanding 3-0 first-leg lead going into the Istanbul clash but the 50-year-old is still expecting a difficult game.

“We have not won anything yet. It’s true that we have a good result from the first leg, but there’s still a difficult game to play,” he said at a press conference.

“We must remain focused if we want to go through to the semi finals, the 3-0 does not guarantee anything.

“We are also preparing from a tactical point of view. I hope the message is reaching its targets. I would be quite surprised if I don’t see my men ready to play a highly difficult game.”

The former Chelsea coach went on to say that his side are among the favourites for the competition.

“Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich are one step ahead of others – I give each of these teams a 25 per cent chance of winning the Champions League. Dortmund and Malaga are almost equal.”

Finally, Mourinho voiced his belief with his side would be able to deal with the raucous atmosphere in the Turk Telekom Arena.

“We expect a sold-out stadium with a very intense environment tomorrow. Although the fans could be intimidating, me and my players thrive in that kind of atmosphere,” he added.

“My players are accustomed to these environments. We must be calm and do our job.”

“If we lose 2-0 or 3-1 tomorrow, even though we will progress, I won’t return home a happy man. I want my team to win.”

Real Madrid are likely to field Raphael Varane and Raul Albiol at the back after the Portugal international picked up a muscle knock in training

Pepe has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final second leg with Galatasaray through injury, according to various reports the Spanish media.

The Portuguese pulled up during a training session with a suspected muscle problem and has handed Jose Mourinho an unwelcome selection headache ahead of the Istanbul clash.

Sergio Ramos will not feature either in Turkey thanks to his first-leg yellow card, meaning that Raul Albiol and Raphael Varane will line up alongside each other in the heart of defence.

It remains to be seen how long Mourinho will be without the services of his compatriot but the former Porto defender seems certain to miss the Turk Telekom Arena clash.

“Following the Levante game, we had some injury worries about Pepe, so we’ll wait for tomorrow and then see. Albiol may play instead of him,” the former Inter coach said at his press conference.

The Spanish champions will also be without Xabi Alonso, who was also booked at the Bernabeu leg, meaning that Luka Modric is likely to partner either Sami Khedira or Michael Essien in midfield.

Mourinho will also have to choose between Angel Di Maria on the right wing and Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain up front.

Galatasaray and Real Madrid are scheduled to kick off at 20:45CET in Istanbul.

The legendary Galatasaray goalkeeper feels the former Villarreal man should keep his Real Madrid place ahead of Iker Casillas

Former Brazil goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel says Diego Lopez should keep his place between the sticks for Real Madrid ahead of Iker Casillas for the trip to Galatasaray.

The Spain skipper fractured his hand in January, prompting the signing of the former Sevilla man, and the 46-year-old feels he has performed admirably.

“I believe that the decision taken by [Jose] Mourinho is correct because Diego Lopez has done a great job since he came to Madrid. He has great capabilities and, in my opinion, is in great physical condition,” Taffarel told AS.

“I saw him in the tie against Manchester United and was brilliant. Really, Lopez’s performances for Madrid have been perfect.

“Mourinho’s decision is correct. A coach must think only of the team’s success, analyse who is playing well and put them in the starting line-up.

“You cannot turn this into a controversial topic. Diego is perfect and if he keeps playing well, he will continue as a starter. Mourinho is absolutely right on this issue.”

Taffarel, who played for Galatasaray as a player and now coaches them, admits that his side face an uphill task against the Spanish champions following their 3-0 first-leg loss, but vowed that they would fight.

“Everything is possible in football. It is difficult to say that we will win 4-0, but we are the Galatasaray.

“In addition, playing at the Turk Telekom Arena will be an advantage for us. Our fans are very passionate. There will be a spectacular atmosphere.

“We have a small chance to qualify and I am convinced that we will play better than at the Bernabeu. We have 90 minutes ahead of us to show our quality.”