According to Pelligrini, he hasn't even started thinking about this weekends match against Barcelona. Of course not Manuel. Especially with the tough home tie against Zurich to concentrate the mind first! Real Madrid owe their fans a good old thrashing and Zurich would appear to be tailor made for such an occasion. Or would some prefer to see some fancy football regardless of the result? It's hard to know these days, but a defeat could leave them in serious danger of missing out on the knockout round. Three points it is then.
Madrid fans will be delighted to see the return of Cristiano Ronaldo after nearly two months out; Marcelo isn't bad by any means, but a right winger he is not. Pelligrini will be like a child at Christmas waiting to unleash his Portguese goal machine on the best Swiss football has to offer. Let's see if the Chilean gives the Bernabeu what it wants, what it really really wants.
For the last two matches it has been reported that Raúl was going to start, and for the last two matches he has been plonked on the bench. Benzema and Higuaín seem to work well together, so I can't see any reason why he would want to break up this promising partnership in favour of giving the veteran a run.
It's fair to say Atlético Madrid have had happier times. Out of the Champions League and in the lower reaches of La Liga, tonight they will try and secure their passage into the Europa League. They will take anything right now and a win tonight could see the odd smile appear on the faces of the Rojiblanco supporters. It's been a while since they had something to cheer about.
The Cypriots have a fanatical following and the atmosphere will be piping tonight in the Georgios K Stadium. As always, Forlán and Agüero will be asked to carry the team as it seems there's no-one else willing to do it at the moment. Will Simao and Maxi finally step up to the plate? Will the defence hold firm ? A big ask for a team accustomed to letting in goals for fun.
Sergio Asenjo was hailed as the new Casillas at the start of the season, and although he has perfomed miracles at times this year his goals conceded column doesnt look pretty; the young keeper must wish he'd stayed at Valladolid for a bit longer, or just gone somewhere else.