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Training

Madrid vs. Getafe

SQUAD LIST:

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego López

Defenders: Roberto Carlos, Raúl Bravo, Pavón, Helguera, Mejía, Sergio Ramos, Míchel Salgado, Marcelo, Torres

Midfielders:Beckham, Gago, De la Red, Robinho, Reyes,

Forwards: Cassano, Higuaín, Van Nistelrooy

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and thanks

Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego López, and Adán.

Defenders: Cannavaro, Helguera, Salgado, Torres, Roberto Carlos, Sergio Ramos, Pavón, Raúl Bravo, Marcelo, and Mejía.

Midfielders: Diarra, Raúl, Emerson, Robinho, De la Red, Guti, and Gago,

Forwards: Cassano, Van Nistelrooy, and Higuaín.

Thanks Aga

Cannavaro looking to hit top form against Bayern Munich

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid's Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro insists that he can put his current slump behind him in Wednesday's Champions League last 16 second-leg clash at Bayern Munich.

The 2006 World Player of the Year has not played his best since helping Italy win the World Cup last year.

"I'm not at my top level. I've never had so many yellow cards. It's a strange experience for me. But since the World Cup it has been difficult," Cannavaro told sports daily Marca.

"I've been thinking a lot about this. I've looked at players who reached the World Cup final like (Thierry) Henry and others, and I'm realizing they're not at their best either so I hope that this is the explanation," said Cannavaro.

"When you're not playing your best all you can do is work more."

Cannavaro said that Real will be looking for a goal-fest after Bayern netted important away goals in the 3-2 first-leg defeat to the Spaniards at the Bernabeu a fortnight ago.

"We know that we have to score. Otherwise we're dead." he added.

But Real Madrid captain Raul admitted that he fears the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Allianz Arena in Munich.

"It will be the first time that we've played on this new pitch. The fans are very near the players, it will be a different atmosphere," said Raul.

Defensive strategy suicide against Bayern, says Cannavaro

MADRID, March 6 (Reuters) - Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has said his team are certain to be knocked out of the Champions League if they limit themselves to defending their first-leg advantage at Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

"We have to score a goal against them," the Italy captain told sports daily Marca on Tuesday. "If we sit back we are dead. Instead we've got to go for that goal and I wouldn't rule out the chance of us winning the match."

Real roared into a 3-1 halftime lead against Bayern in the first leg at the Bernabeu, but a late strike from Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel threw the tie wide open once again.

The nine-times European champions need only a draw to progress to the quarter-finals, but their record in Munich is poor having lost seven of their previous eight encounters there and drawn just one.

But Cannavaro, who led Italy to triumph in the World Cup in Germany last year, believes the Spaniards can come away with a victory.

"Why can't we win in Munich? We have already shown that we are a team that wins a lot of games away from home," he said.

"It is in games like this when you see the true personality of the team. If we try and wait, let the clock run down and keep the score at 0-0 then we will go out. We have to have a winning mentality, be brave and go out there to win."

Real, who eliminated Bayern on their way to winning the Champions League in both 2000 and 2002, will be without former England captain David Beckham and Spain winger Jose Antonio Reyes for Wednesday's match.

Both players will be sidelined for around a month after straining knee ligaments in Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Getafe.

thank you very much Aga & Luno.

You're welcome Ange !!!!!!

Fabio Cannavaro to Marca

"We have to play to win; hopefully we'll eat them alive"

Fabio Cannavaro's words clearly demonstrate how focused Real Madrid will be when they take the pitch at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich on Wednesday at 8:45 pm CET. "I'm not throwing out the possibility that we can win," said the Italian centre back in an interview with Spanish sports daily Marca. "We're going to win, and it will serve as a launch pad for us. There's no time to let loose in Munich." And rightly so, as the team is extra motivated and ready to bring the quarterfinals of the Champions League back to the Spanish capital.

Why can't Madrid take the extra step to become a premier team?

I don't know. Every single team has given us trouble. We have a very challenging week ahead of us and we want to return to our winning ways. First Bayern and then Barcelona. We're off to Munich, where we'll be up against a very strong team that knows how to control the ball and that has great technique. And on Saturday we have a special match against Barcelona.

Nothing is guaranteed with the 3-2 result against Bayern at the Bernabéu. What does Real Madrid have to do to win the tie?

We have to score at least one goal, and we will. The Champions is a lot different than the League. In the Champions League we face different types of teams; teams that want to showcase their game, which means more spaces for us to strike. That's important for us because we have players that can do a lot of damage when given the room. I am very optimistic.

Will Madrid sit back in defence and wait for the chance to counterattack?

No! No! We know we have to score. We're dead meat if we sit back. We have to find that goal and I'm not throwing out the possibility that we can win. We can win in Munich. Why can't we win there if we're a team that has won a lot of road matches? Hopefully we'll eat them alive. It will be a very even match and we have a good chance of moving through to the next round. This is the type of match that really judges a team's character. We'll be knocked out if we wait for the minutes to tick off the clock while trying to keep the game at a deadlock. We can't be intimidated. We have to have a winning attitude, be brave, and play to win.

Are intense matches which are chalk full of pressure like this one the ones you like best?

Yes. This is a unique match and a footballer's dream. It's a huge adrenaline rush on its own, I don't need any other stimulus. We know it's a Champions League game, that we have a Bayern Munich powerhouse in our way, and that winning means one more step towards being European champions. There are a lot of motivational factors. Once we take the pitch, we'll forget whether or not we played poorly in the last match. We'll be so motivated knowing that this is a huge responsibility, and that's why we'll play our hearts out. That's why I said that this type of match is a true judge of character for a team like Real Madrid. It's a great chance for us to prove we have a good squad and that we can do something special this season, so we have to take advantage. I think it's easier for a footballer to play in a match like this because there isn't so much motivation for other matches. There's no time to let loose in Munich.

Would a victory or a well-played match confirm that this team really isn't that bad after all?

Definitely. We need to prove just how good we are, because we have suffered this year. Fans need to understand that the first to suffer are the players and that we want to do well. We really want to play a great match and we're hoping this one against Bayern serves as a launch pad for us. It's the perfect time. We're going to win.

Why haven't Real Madrid come out strong with high intensity from minute one this season?

We came out strong from the opening minute of the Bayen match at the Bernabéu, and it worked. We scored three goals in 30 minutes. Of course you can come out strong from the very start, but the Champions League gives off different vibes. The fans cheer in a totally different way if you have a look at the stands. The crowd is a lot more excited. But you can't always come out to play at the Bernabéu with that same intensity. We need to play calmly. Doing things too fast may result in mistakes. We have to have an attacking mindset as long as we take the right precautionary measures.

Cannavaro doubtful for Real against Bayern

Fabio Cannavaro may be forced to miss Real Madrid's Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday after aggravating an injury during training.

The Italian defender was forced out of Real's eve-of-match session at the Allianz Arena because of a thigh muscle problem.

Real hold a 3-2 lead after the first leg of the first knockout round tie and the loss of Cannavaro would be another blow to the Spanish side, who will definitely be without David Beckham and Jose Antonio Reyes because of injury.

Cannavaro captained Italy to victory at the World Cup in Germany last year and Real coach Fabio Capello had been hoping for the centre-back to recapture his form from the tournament on his return to the country.

"Cannavaro played a great World Cup here and I'd love for him to have a great game again on Wednesday," Capello said at his news conference before the training session.

Real's Cannavaro to miss game against Bayern

MUNICH, March 7 (Reuters) - Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro will miss Wednesday's Champions League match against Bayern Munich because of a thigh muscle injury.

The Italian aggravated the injury in training on the eve of the match and Real said in a statement he had failed a fitness test on Wednesday.

Cannavaro captained Italy to victory at the World Cup last year and Real coach Fabio Capello had been hoping that a return to Germany would help the centre back recapture his best form.

Real, who are also missing David Beckham and Jose Antonio Reyes because of injury, hold a 3-2 lead after the first leg of the first knockout round tie.

Cannavaro's absence means Sergio Ramos and Ivan Helguera are likely to make up the centre back partnership for the match at the Allianz Arena.

Cannavaro out of Bayern tie

Real Madrid centre half Fabio Cannavaro is out of Wednesday evening's UEFA Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

Cannavaro aggravated a groin injury while stretching on Tuesday and pulled out of training with his team-mates. He underwent intensive physiotherapy followed by a fitness test on Wednesday, but was deemed unfit and will not participate.

The news means that Sergio Ramos may again partner Ivan Helguera in the centre of defence, with youngster Miguel Torres taking Ramos' accustomed right back position.

Along with Roberto Carlos on the left, that was the set-up for the draw against Getafe at the weekend, when Italy captain Cannavaro was suspended.

Madrid won the first leg in Spain 3-2, but the tie hangs in the balance because of former Barcelona midfielder Mark van Bommel's late goal.

HOT

Roberto Carlos and Cannavaro injured

Brazilian fullback out three to four weeks; Italian centre back, some twelve days

The first player to fall injured was Fabio Cannavaro, during warm-up at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, one day before the Bayern match. The number '5' of the Whites has strained the right groin muscle, which in turn has caused an oedema or extensive swelling. Estimated recovery time has been set between 10 and 12 days. Roberto Carlos' injury is more serious. The Brazilian left fullback has partially torn the fascia of his right leg soleus muscle, just underneath his hamstring. Real Madrid's number '3' will need between 3 to 4 weeks of recovery time.