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Real Madrid 3 Galatasaray 0: Classy Ronaldo and Co on course for semi-finals
PUBLISHED: 20:35 GMT, 3 April 2013 | UPDATED: 09:17 GMT, 4 April 2013
Real Madrid took a huge step towards reaching the last four of the Champions League by strolling to a comfortable victory over Galatasaray at the Bernabeu. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring early in the first half before Karim Benzema doubled the hosts' lead. Substitute Gonzalo Higuain's second-half header put the result beyond doubt, and made Madrid's task in the second leg at the Turk Telecom Arena next Tuesday look far easier.
Up and over: Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first against Galatasaray at the Santiago Bernabeu
MATCH FACTS
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao, Khedira, Ronaldo, Ozil (Modric - 80), Alonso, Essien, Di Maria (Pepe 86), Benzema (Higuain 65)
Subs not used: Adan, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Kaka Booked: Essien, Modric, Ramos
Goals: Ronaldo 9, Benzema 29, Higuain 73
Galatasaray: Muslera, Dany Nounkeu, Kaya, Eboue, Altintop (Bulut 78), Inan, Felipe Melo, Riera (Amrabat 83), Sneijder (Zan 46), Yilmaz, Drogba
Subs not used: Iscan, Balta, Sarioglu, Kurtulus Booked: Dany Nounkeu, Felipe Melo, Yilmaz, Drogba
Referee: Oddvar Moen Attendance: 80,000
Galatasaray's coach and players had insisted before the game that they would try to attack the Primera Division champions and would not settle for holding out for a draw. They were loyal to their promise in the first half, but it left them very exposed at the back.Madrid, who have the reputation for being one of the best counter-attacking teams in Europe, were given a generous amount of space by their opponents and made full use of it. They had their first attempt on two minutes, Benzema heading just over the bar after a cross from Angel Di Maria, and they took the lead after just nine minutes.Xabi Alonso supplied the ball up to Mesut Ozil from his own half and the German played a one-two with Benzema, which allowed him space to deliver an excellent low pass into the path of Ronaldo, who calmly chipped the ball over goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and into the net.Gala played pretty football but struggled to penetrate the Madrid backline and were limited to shots from outside the area. Didier Drogba turned Raphael Varane on the 18-yard line and shot just over the bar, while Wesley Sneijder also missed the target from 20 yards.
In the goals: Karim Benzema got the second for the hosts
Sea of red: Galatasaray fans lit a flare to celebrate the occasion
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RETURN LEGS
Tuesday, April 9
Borussia Dortmund (0) v Malaga (0)
Galatasaray (0) v Real Madrid (3)
Wednesday, April 10
Barcelona (2) v PSG (2)
Juventus (0) v Bayern (2)
Ozil could have doubled the lead when a long Sergio Ramos header out of defence led to Madrid attacking, but the midfielder, receiving the ball from Ronaldo, could not put his shot past Muslera.Madrid's second goal arrived just before the half-hour mark. Michael Essien, a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up at the expense of Alvaro Arbeloa, delivered a high ball into the box which fell at the feet of Benzema, who was in space, took one touch to control the pass and slotted home from six yards. Galatasaray's best chance of the half fell to Emmanuel Eboue just before the interval. The former Arsenal player burst through on goal but hit his shot straight at Diego Lopez's legs.Sneijder, unimpressive in the first 45 minutes against his former club, was removed at half-time and replaced by defender Gokhan Zan - a move which saw Fatih Terim's side switch to a back three, with Eboue pushing up to right midfield.
Struggle: Didier Drogba led the line for the visitors
Three and easy: Gonzalo Higuain scored the third with a glancing header
The tactical change did not help the visitors' attacking ambitions, and they went on to pose even less of a threat after the break as they had before it.Madrid also dropped their intensity in the second period. Ronaldo and Di Maria both had chances to test Muslera, the better of which fell to the Argentinian, but the goalkeeper had little trouble with either effort. Higuain came on for Benzema on 65 minutes and seven minutes later made the triumph secure when he headed in a free-kick from Xabi Alonso.
Rough and tumble: Sergio Ramos (left) drags Didier Drogba to the floor in the second half
Jose Mourinho's side rode out the final minutes of the game with little trouble. Alonso and Ramos both picked up yellow cards which mean they will miss the second leg. Achieving victory was much lighter work for Madrid than their two hard-fought games with Manchester United in the previous round but, barring a complete collapse in Istanbul, they can be confident of reaching their third consecutive Champions League semi-final under Mourinho.
Putting out fires: Sami Khedira (right) and Ramos tackle Burak Yilmaz
Over you go: Ronaldo hits the deck after Semih Kaya (centre) backs into the Portugal forward
The veteran Galatasaray coach was furious with the official after his side's 3-0 Champions League first-leg loss against Real Madrid
Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim has blasted the performance of referee Svein Oddvar Moen during his side's 3-0 quarter-final defeat against Real Madrid on Wednesday, saying the Norwegian official was scared of los Blancos.
Madrid emerged victorious after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain, but the Gala boss believed his side should have been given two penalties, firstly when Sami Khedira appeared to handle the ball before the interval, and then when Burak Yilmaz was fouled in the second half.
And he questioned the referee's competency, telling reporters after the match: "The referee was scared of Real Madrid's name. He's not a referee for this level.
"If you can't see a penalty for handball, then he shouldn't be here. Everyone says penalty, but the referee - he says nothing. Real Madrid are the favourites for this tournament. It didn't happen for us. What can we do?
"Did he defeat us? No. He blew his whistle at some very interesting parts of the game. I haven't seen the penalty shouts, but everyone says it was a penalty.
"Real Madrid don't need referees, but when they don't see what is there, you don't get anywhere. He also gave lots of wrong decisions. However, referees aren’t the subject of the conversation."
Despite the three-goal deficit, Terim refused to rule his side out of the tie, but he admitted it would be a tough task.
"The goals we could have scored in the first half could have changed everything. We will work hard in the second game, but Madrid are better-placed to go through."
“I don't like talking about referees," he added. "I never talk about them. But, the referee was awful."
The Spain international has dismissed the notion that he picked up a Champions League suspension on purpose to ensure his semi-final availability
Sergio Ramos has laughed off suggestions that he picked up a yellow card on purpose in the first leg of Real Madrid's 3-0 Champions League quarter-final win against Galatasaray.
The Spaniard went into the referee's book in the closing stages of the encounter for kicking the ball away after play had been stopped, but the 27-year-old has insisted that he was not after a booking in order to pick up a suspension.
"The referee gave a free kick on the edge of the box, but it wasn't a foul," the defender was quoted as saying on the club's official website.
"It was a situation that angers you because you don't want to concede any goals and it was a dangerous situation on the edge of the box that could have complicated matters."
Ramos then went on to stress that he thinks Madrid are on track to make it to the Champions League final after beating Galatasaray 3-0 in the first leg.
"We have a special fondness for this competition and it has been years since we last won," he continued.
"We haven't made it yet but we're on the right track to get through to the final, without wanting to underestimate anyone because our first priority right now is concluding this quarter-final."
The second leg takes place in Istanbul on April 9.
The Real Madrid boss has admitted that his side have all but sealed their place in the semi-finals, but remains wary of the threat posed by the Turks
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes that Galatasaray will need "a miracle" if they are to overturn Wednesday's 3-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu in Istanbul next week.
However, even though goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain have put los Blancos within touching distance of the semi-finals of the Champions League, the Portuguese is taking nothing for granted ahead of his side's trip to the Turk Telekom Arena.
"They need a miracle, but there are miracles in football," Mourinho siad during his post-game press conference. "The history of football is full of miracles, so why not? Why can't they dream of a miracle?
"I have enough experience to understand that we have a very good result, but that it is not over. I will try everything in my power to convince my players of that, and that we we have go there seriously.
"Of course, if we score one goal, they have to score five. But I think we have to go there with the same mentality.
"I prefer to wait for the next match to do analysis on the tie, but if you look at the first leg, anything can happen next time out."
Even though Madrid have seemingly secured their place in the last four, the Spaniards have no idea who they could end up facing in the semis. And that is just the way Mourinho likes it.
"I like not knowing the whole draw until the final," the two-time Champions League winner explained.
"As well as us as professional players, I think the supporters also like this so they can see the draw for every round. So, for that reason, I think it's better to wait for the qualified sides and then do another draw."
Madrid host Levante on Saturday before travelling to Turkey for their second-leg showdown with Galatasaray three days later.
Yellow peril! Dortmund star Gotze filmed urinating in Malaga's stadium
By RIK SHARMA PUBLISHED: 09:08 GMT, 4 April 2013 | UPDATED: 09:08 GMT, 4 April 2013
Dortmund's Mario Gotze was spotted urinating on the ground in Malaga's stadium ahead of their Champions League clash. During training on Tuesday he went behind some advertising hoardings to grab a stray ball, and took the opportunity to duck down and take a secret leak.
Scroll down for video
Peek-a-boo: Mario Gotze takes a leak and halfway through turns his head and sees the camera (below)
Except it didn't turn out to be all that secret as he was caught on camera - and this footage has since been broadcast by Canal+ and Spanish TV.During the act, Gotze peeks round and spots the camera filming him, but finishes up anyway. He then grabs the ball and gets back to the training session.
VIDEO: Cheeky Gotze takes a leak in Malaga's stadium
Matuidi is as important to PSG as Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, argues Dacourt
The former Inter midfielder believes his compatriot's suspension will severely damage Paris Saint-Germain's chances of beating Barcelona in the Champions League second leg
Subotic: Dortmund should be proud
The Serbia international was quite pleased with BVB's 0-0 draw at Malaga as he believes they still have every chance of making the semi-finals
Istanbul will be difficult for Madrid, says Okocha
By Lolade Adewuyi
Apr 4, 2013 11:00:00 AM
The former Fenerbahce midfielder believes that los Blancos will be met with a hostile reception when they travel to Turkey to face Galatasaray
Former Fenerbahce midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha has warned Real Madrid that they can expect some rough treatment when they travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray.
The Spanish champions triumphed 3-0 in the first leg of the two sides' Champions League quarter-final clash on Wednesday, and the Nigerian feels they could be in for a hostile reception in Turkey for the return game.
“If you fly in as a visiting team from a foreign country, [Galatasaray fans] won’t let you sleep; they will come to your hotel and disturb you,” he said at a Heineken event.
“And if you have a Galatasaray fan serving you in the hotel, I don’t think you will get the best service.
“It’s a really difficult place to go to but I think with the experience of Real Madrid and with the result they have gotten [on Wednesday], they will do well."
Galatasaray and Real Madrid meet on April 9, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45CET.
Coentrao urges caution for Galatasaray tie 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
It is our time to make history, says Ibrahimovic The striker remains confident and says his team can pick up a result in Wednesday’s second leg of their quarter-final match with Barcelona
Bonucci confident Juventus can overcome Bayern The Italian side's defender remains confident in his team’s ability to reach the semi-finals, despite the 0-2 first leg loss at the Allianz Arena
Dortmund clash a final for Malaga, says Camacho The Boquerones midfielder is aware of the importance of his side's meeting with Jurgen Klopp's side as Martin Demichelis targets an early goal
We won't miss our chances again - Klopp The BVB boss feels his side will improve their effectiveness ahead of the difficult encounter against Manuel Pellegrini's men on Tuesday
'Bayern will try to win everything' - Hoeness The Roten president has vowed that his side will not rest on their laurels after their Bundesliga triumph was confirmed on Saturday
Referees should be treated like players after mistakes - Cruyff The Dutch legend believes that the current system is not working, pointing out a number of high-profile errors in recent weeks
Watzke: Dortmund back among the elite The BVB CEO feels his side have announced themselves to the world after being "finished" less than a decade ago
'Just one title would be disappointing for Bayern' - Neuer The Roten goalkeeper has urged his side to go for broke in their pursuit of the treble as they prepare to face Juventus on Wednesday
Mourinho: My future does not depend on La Decima The Real Madrid boss has insisted that whether he stays at the club will not be affected by their pursuit of a tenth Champions League
Pepe set to miss Galatasaray clash 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
Taffarel: Diego Lopez deserves to start The legendary Galatasaray goalkeeper feels the former Villarreal man should keep his Real Madrid place ahead of Iker Casillas
Drogba: I have a special relationship with the Champions League The Galatasaray striker is delighted to be playing in Europe's top competition again as he prepares to face Real Madrid on Tuesday
Bayern only slight favourites against Juventus - Trapattoni The veteran coach believes that Italian teams' history against Germans means the Bavarians cannot afford to rest of their laurels on Wednesday
Nani red card referee Cakir misses out on Champions League quarter-final again The controversial official has once more been overlooked by the governing body for this week's Champions League matches
Rai: Paris Saint-Germain will score against Barcelona The Brazilian is eagerly anticipating Wednesday's match at Camp Nou and has little doubt PSG can cause the Blaugrana problems
Kehl: Bayern deserve Bundesliga title The holding midfielder has admitted FCB deservedly dethroned Dortmund and hopes to take on their Bundesliga rivals in the Champions League final
Sergio Ramos: Madrid cannot set off the fireworks yet The strong defender, who will miss the return due to suspension, has stressed that Galatasaray should not be underestimated
Bayern veto Ribery's birthday party His team-mates wanted to take the Frenchman out for dinner on Sunday evening but Matthias Sammer and Jupp Heynckes ordered them to postpone the event
Lippi: Juventus can overcome Bayern The former Bianconeri coach has insisted that the Italian champions can still make it to the semi-finals at the expense of the Bundesliga giants
Xavi: This generation will win more silverware The influential midfielder is optimistic about his side's chances of winning more trophies and believes the Blaugrana are in a good position to eliminate les Parisiens
Rummenigge: Bayern must score at Juventus to be safe The Bayern chairman believes they are not through to the next round just yet and believes they can write history under Pep Guardiola next term
Raul backs Madrid in Decima pursuit The Blancos legend feels Jose Mourinho's side are on the right track as they chase their 10th European title this season
Beckham targets starting spot against Barcelona The English midfielder has revealed his desire to play a significant role in his side's Champions League quarter-final second leg against the Catalunya club this week
Pogba aims to emulate Pirlo's career The Bianconeri midfielder has listed his senior team-mate as a personal figure of reference and expressed his confidence of progressing in the Champions League
Next up for Bayern is the Champions League crown, says Hoeness The official has not restricted die Roten's ambitions to merely winning the Bundesliga and regards becoming European champions as the ultimate prize
Conte: Pescara win seemed cursed! The coach shared his relief at collecting three precious points against the Italian minnows, while inevitably casting his eye on the European blockbuster with Bayern Munich
Ancelotti sweating over Thiago Silva's fitness for Barcelona match The Italian raised concerns over the availability of his star defender against the Catalans in the Champions League, but took heart from Jeremy Menez's performance against Rennes
Robben: Bayern can win the treble The Dutchman dreams of winning each competition the Bavarians take part in this term and is optimistic about his future at the club
Bayern won't always play world-class football, warns Sammer The FCB sporting director has stressed that it will be nearly impossible for the Bundesliga leaders to play consistently at their highest level
Ribery should control his temper - Heynckes The Bayern boss has admitted that the Frenchman's foul on Arturo Vidal was over the top, though he added that the Chilean played his part in the incident
Buffon a pensioner? Beckenbauer should show respect to one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time The Juventus captain deserved better than to be put down in such a public fashion but his response to the insult has merely underlined that he is a class act on and off the field
Kuzmanovic: I want to repeat 2010 treble success with Inter The former Stuttgart midfielder is keen to win silverware with the Giuseppe Meazza side, and has stated that German football is more physical than the Italian game
Real Madrid were perfect against Galatasaray, beams Perez Los Blancos' supremo was left impressed with the team’s win over Galatasaray and has called for the club’s fans to support them in this crucial part of the season
Ancelotti defends Beckham's Barcelona performance The Italian boss believes that the English midfielder's performance against the Blaugrana justified his inclusion, and says that Thiago Silva is the best defender in the world
Heynckes encourages Bayern to celebrate Bundesliga success The Roten coach has insisted that nothing is won yet, despite still being in the running for a treble this season, and warned his team not to "dream" they have already won trophies
Roura uncertain over Messi fitness for PSG clash The Blaugrana stand-in coach says he is unsure of when the Argentine will be available for selection but will wait on his fitness for the clash against les Parisiens
Barcelona have been unlucky with referees, says Freixa The Primera Division giants filed an official complaint earlier this week as they felt hard done by in the match versus Paris Saint-Germain
Bayern up there with Barcelona & Real Madrid, says Matri The former Cagliari star feels the Bundesliga leaders are among the strongest teams around, and has no intention to leave Juventus any time soon
UEFA Champions League preview: Borussia Dortmund v Malaga
8 April 2013
Borussia Dortmund will be hoping to end Malaga's dream Champions League debut season in the second leg of their quarter-final on Tuesday.
The two sides played out a goalless draw in the first leg at La Rosaleda with Dortmund's Mario Goetze missing three chances in a game the Germans dominated from the outset.
Despite passing up the opportunity to go ahead in the tie, Juergen Klopp's side will go into the match at the Westfalenstadion full of confidence after a comeback 4-2 win over Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Although the win was not enough to prevent Bayern Munich wrapping up the league title, the German side will be pleased with the fact they came out of the match injury-free, along with the form of striker Julian Schieber.
The 24-year-old stepped into the starting line-up in place of a rested Robert Lewandowski and scored two goals to get his side over the line and may well give Klopp a selection headache ahead of the second leg.
Malaga were less impressive in their La Liga match on Saturday as they went down 4-2 to Real Sociedad in what could be a pivotal result in their quest for Champions League football next season.
Manuel Pellegrini chose to rest a host of key players and was made to pay with Malaga completely outplayed for most of the encounter.
A win on Tuesday would vindicate Pellegrini's decision and would see him repeat the efforts of his 2005-06 Villarreal side who won through to the semi-finals of the competition in their debut season.
Despite the fact Malaga have lost only once in this year's competition - a 1-0 defeat to FC Porto in the round of 16 - it is hard to see the Spanish side getting past Dortmund, whose rampant form in the Champions League shows no signs of abating.
An away goal for Malaga would make things extremely interesting and with the likes of Roque Santa Cruz, Isco and Eliseu in attack they have the players to do it.
But after they were dominated at home by their opponents in the first leg it will be difficult for Pellegrini's men to stop the likes of Lewandowski, Goetze and Marco Reus in front of Dortmund's raucous home supporters.
UEFA Champions League preview: Galatasaray v Real Madrid
8 April 2013
Galatasaray have a colossal task on their hands to overturn a 3-0 deficit in their Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid.
Goals from Christiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain led Real to a very comfortable 3-0 win in the opening leg.
Only catastrophe in Tuesday's second leg in Istanbul will deny them a place in the semi-finals and halt Real boss Jose Mourinho's quest for a third Champions League title.
Didier Drogba, who won the title with Chelsea last season, returned to form on Saturday with a brace for Galatasaray in a 3-1 win over Mersin Idmanyurdu in the Turkish Super Lig.
The Ivorian will have to have an impact against former boss Mourinho if the hosts are to deliver a stunning upset.
Drogba's importance is heightened by the absence of key striker Burak Yilmaz, who is suspended, leaving Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim short on attacking stocks.
Terim must revise his approach after his team selection in Madrid failed to have the desired effect.
The 59-year-old opted for just one holding midfielder in the first leg, Felipe Melo, and as his midfield toiled chasing Real players around, they soon found themselves 2-0 down.
Creative spark Wesley Sneijder offered little due to a lack of supply and was hauled off at half-time after struggling to get on the ball.
Terim may look to the Dutchman again as he goes for broke in Turkey.
Mourinho will need to manage without Spanish duo Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos, both absent through suspension. As a result, Michael Essien will likely line up in the middle again with Rafael Varane holding his spot at centre-back unchallenged.
Galatasaray are also missing central defender Dany Nounkeu through suspension.
While aware of the size of the task, Galatasaray will find hope following their stunning 3-2 Champions League win over Real in 2001, despite being eliminated on that occasion through aggregate.
Barcelona send Uefa protest letter over PSG referee
Apr 4, 2013 7:25:00 PM
The Blaugrana have complained to the governing body about the mistakes made by the official in their draw in the Champions League
Barcelona have written a formal letter of complaint to governing body Uefa about the refereeing decisions made in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
Tito Vilanova's side recorded a 2-2 draw against the Parisian side in France, but Barca have claimed referee Wolfgang Stark "did not know the rules of the game".
The Blaugrana were unhappy with what they saw as a series of mistakes from the official, including Stark's decision to allow play to continue when two Barca players were off the pitch injured.
Regulations state that play should stop in that instance, while the official also allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic's first goal to stand when it appeared he was offside.
"Barcelona have sent a letter of protest to Uefa regarding mistakes made by the referee in the game against PSG," the Barca spokesman said.
"We just want to express our surprise that professional referees do not know the rules of the game," he added.
Blaugrana right-back Dani Alves had earlier claimed that the official had been influenced by comments from Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.
Juventus and Prandelli hit back at Buffon 'pensioner' jibe
By Joe Wright
Apr 4, 2013 4:30:00 PM
Director Beppe Marotta joined the Italy coach in defending the veteran keeper after Franz Beckenbauer ridiculed his performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League
Juventus director Beppe Marotta and Italy coach Cesare Prandelli have hit back at Franz Beckenbauer following his criticism of Gianluigi Buffon.
The Bayern Munich legend claimed the veteran goalkeeper "looked like a pensioner" during a poor performance in the Bianconeri's 2-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
Marotta has since mounted a staunch defence of the World Cup-winning shot-stopper, insisting he deserves more respect from a fellow icon of the game.
Speaking to reporters while attending the quarterly football report at the Italian parliament, Marotta said: "Buffon must be respected. To read such considerations from an icon of world football hurts, especially when they are directed at another athletic symbol such as Gigi. He is a special guy, a role model for young people."
National team coach Prandelli echoed Marotta's comments, and suggested the 67-year-old is in no place to criticise exponents of the modern game.
"Gigi has already responded well, with great balance and irony," said Prandelli. "He will give a great response on the pitch.
The former Germany international has made it clear that the didn't intend to insult the goalkeeper, but still feels his performance was not good enough
Bayern Munich icon Franz Beckenbauer has apologised for calling Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon a pensioner, but stands by his opinion that the shot-stopper should have done better in Tuesday's Champions League encounter.
Beckenbauer criticised the Italy international after he failed to save David Alaba's long-range strike early in the game, and though he has stressed he did not intend to insult the Italy veteran, he believes his performance we well below par.
"I am sorry if I have offended Buffon by using the word 'pensioner'. That was never my intention," Beckenbauer told Bild.
"But I still feel that Buffon should have done better with the 1-0 as well as the 2-0, when he failed to hold on to the ball."
Buffon will be desperate to prove his critics wrong in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final in Turin on Wednesday.
The ex-Real Madrid midfielder has revealed that he will be cheering on the Ligue 1 leaders in the Champions League encounter as he sees the game as a positive for French football
Zinedine Zidane has thrown his support behind Paris Saint-Germain in their attempts to overcome Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Blaise Matuidi's stoppage-time effort allowed PSG to snatch a 2-2 draw at Parc des Princes last week and the former Real Madrid sporting director believes that les Parisiens have an excellent chance of causing an upset in the leg in Catalunya.
"I will be supporting Paris. I am behind the French club," the 40-year-old said in an interview with RMC Sport.
"This game is positive for French football. Even though I am from Marseille it is rather nice to see Paris to rub shoulders with Barcelona.
"I see it being hard for them. But I think the fact that they scored late in the game means it will be interesting. It will be difficult at Camp Nou but this is a team that is capable of worrying Barca."
Zidane, who scored 46 times in 210 appearances for Madrid, also passed comment on another Frenchman at the Liga outfit, defending the form of Karim Benzema.
"What a player needs when he is struggling a bit is to have support," the ex-Blancos star said of the forward.
"He is one of the best players in the France team. I can understand people who come to the stadium [and boo] as they want to see their striker scoring goals. But I would say that we must support the players. He has great qualities, he will emerge from this difficult situation.
"And the France team will benefit soon. I also had difficulties in the France team. It happens in a career to have bad runs. Fortunately, however, he can bounce back."
Despite a 3-0 victory in the first leg, the Blancos goalkeeper has warned his team-mates that they have to be aware of the Turkish side's threat
Diego Lopez has sent his side a clear warning not to underestimate Galatasaray when Real Madrid meet the Turkish side in Istanbul on Tuesday in their Champions League quarter-final second-leg match.
The goalkeeper acknowledged that his side's first-leg win was impressive but added that his team will need at least another goal to guarantee progression.
“Clearly 3-0 is a very good result for us, but I think the key to the next game is getting another goal,” he told Bwin.
Lopez, signed in January following an injury to Iker Casillas, also said he expected a different Galatasaray to the one that played in Madrid.
“It's a difficult place to go against a good team. They did not show their best side, they are better than they were in the first leg.
“They are a very good team who can hit us on the counter-attack. We have to keep our composure defensively.
“I am expecting a tough match in a tough environment”
With the league almost certainly heading back to Barcelona, the Champions League and Copa del Rey represent the only opportunities Real Madrid have for silverware this season.
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 53-year-old says the absence of the Ballon d'Or winner will not aid his team in their task of beating Barcelona on their own turf
Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has played down the significance of Lionel Messi's possible absence from Wednesday's Champions League clash at Camp Nou.
The Argentina international did not re-appear for the second half of Tuesday's 2-2 draw in Paris and it was later revealed the 25-year-old had sustained a hamstring injury.
However, having played no part in Barcelona's victory over Mallorca at the weekend, it remains to be seen if coach Tito Vilanova will include the star in his plans for the visit of the French giants on Wednesday.
And speaking to RMC Sport on Monday, the former Chelsea manager says Messi's potential exclusion does not make the task of progressing to the next round any less unenviable for his team.
"We have to defend, but our goal is not only to defend, we must also show courage," he said.
"With or without Messi, it is the same for us. To reach the semi-finals, we still have to win."
The BVB boss feels his side will improve their effectiveness ahead of the difficult encounter against Manuel Pellegrini's men on Tuesday
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has promised that his side will score when they face Malaga in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
The deposed Bundesliga champions missed a number of chances during last week's 0-0 draw at La Rosaleda but their boss is confident that there will be no such wastefulness this time around.
"Our big mistake in the first leg was not squandering chances, but how we reacted to it," the 45-year-old told reporters.
"We have to do better than that tomorrow and I believe we will. The atmosphere was really good in Malaga, but I am convinced we can top that tomorrow, and we will need the fans to get behind us."
The former Mainz boss went on to emphasise that his side will not be taking anything for granted when against the Andalusians.
"Everything's set for a good match - including our opponent," he continued.
"I have no idea why people think you can just win at Malaga like that. They are a strong opponent, but we are fully in the tie. Those who need guarantees in football should close their eyes for 90 minutes tomorrow."
BVB have been missing Mats Hummels and Jakub Blaszczykowski recently through injury but Klopp is optimistic that both will return to the fold.
"Things are looking positive for the doubtful players, Hummels included," he added.
