Champions League: Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund preview

Apr 30, 2013
Champions League: Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund preview
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho says his team have to be "ruthless" if they are to have any chance of reaching the UEFA Champions League final. The Spanish champions were demolished 4-1 by Borussia Dortmund in last week's first leg with Robert Lewandowski scoring all four goals. Jose Mourinho has a simple explanation for what happened in Dortmund: "The team was naive," he said. "We played against a player that scored four goals and wasn't fouled in the whole game, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo was fouled five times and the game had barely begun. It was like we were playing a friendly. Mentally and physically we need to be stronger". "We have 90 minutes to play and we are 4-1 down. What I am concerned with is analysing what happened in Dortmund and what we have to do on Tuesday," Mourinho added. "The game in Dortmund was so bad that I am not concerned about them, I am concerned about what we have to do better. No player is hiding, we are all in the same boat and all of them want to play, which gives me confidence and hope for the game. In football everything is possible." Sergio Ramos, who should replace Pepe at the hear of the defence at the Bernabeu, seems in the same frame of mind as his manager. "Our intensity, aggression and rhythm wasn't as it should have been," Ramos said. "If we have greater intensity and rhythm it will be less of a problem but it is still a very negative result to overturn and will be very difficult. We can't take away the credit from Dortmund, they played a great game and deserved to win but the other day we didn't win personal duels that we normally do." On the other hand Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is confident that his side can survive the pressure in Madrid. "For us it's the same situation as last year's German Cup final," he said. "We were the German champions and Bayern Munich wanted to beat us in this game, change their whole season. They gave their all and my team was pretty cool in this moment because the only way to reach your dream is to be brave. And that's what we tried to do. It's no problem to lose the game because it could happen. It's only interesting what you invest in the game. My players cannot fail as they will give their best, there is no doubt about this." There is a fantastic free bet offer at Bet365 to make tonight's match even more exciting. Place a pre-match bet on the Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund game and we they give you a free In-Play bet to the same stake on the match. To qualify for your free In-Play bet, simply place a bet before kick-off, then once the game starts place another bet on any In-Play market. If your first In-Play bet loses your stake will be refunded, up to the same value as your largest pre-match bet (at most $20).
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