Overwhelming favorite Real aims to not slip up in Cyprus

Real Madrid continues its pursuit of a 10th European triumph in the unlikely setting of Apoel Nicosia’s 23,000-capacity GSP Stadium on Tuesday night (TVE1, 8.45pm), although playing Cypriot opposition is not an entirely unique experience for the Spanish club. In the 1969 European Cup, Real met Olympiakos Nicosia in the first round and won 14-1, with both legs played at the Bernabéu.

Apoel’s solid back line, which has conceded just seven in the tournament proper after winning through three preliminary qualification rounds, should have no trouble preventing a similar deluge on this occasion, but the home side is still very much the underdog. However, Ivan Jovanovic’s team was not expected to get this far and Olympique Lyonnais found itself a high-profile casualty in the previous round.

“We haven’t got much to lose in this game as we couldn’t have drawn a more powerful rival than Real,” noted Jovanovic. “For us it is a good opportunity to test our strength. We know the differences between us and I don’t think there’s much point in schemes or tactics. In this game concentration will be what matters.”

Apoel may be an unknown quantity to most Madridistas but Esteban Solari’s surname will ring more than a handful of bells. His brother, Santiago, played for Real between 2000 and 2005. “Of course it’s going to be difficult. We have a lot of respect for Real, we know its history and its players. We are going to play in the same way we did the previous games, with enthusiasm, belief and courage.” Real coach José Mourinho must do without his midfield general Xabi Alonso, who is suspended. However, the Portuguese is expected to unleash at least four of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuaín, Mesut Özil and Kaká, who could face his namesake and countryman in Apoel’s defense.

“I assume the responsibility of saying that obviously we are the favorite because of our sporting and financial power,” Real coach José Mourinho said in a pre-match press conference, his first for over a week after boycotting the media in the aftermath of a controversial match against Villarreal. “We will try to play our game. Apoel’s greatest quality is that it is a balanced team. For many people that is an adjective with little significance but for me it is one of the most important in soccer. My team has to be balanced as well.”

Apoel has won five of seven home games contested overall in the Champions League this season, and Real seven of the eight matches it has played in reaching the last eight.