Champions League fixtures preview: Galatasaray vs Real Madrid

Los Blankos aim to ease into the Champions League semifinals, coming to Istanbul with a 3-0 advantage.

Real are preparing for the away fixture against Galatasaray with a huge confidence following their weekend’s win over Levante 5-1. Jose Mourinho’s men also have a 3-goal lead after Galatasaray did not manage to stop Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain from finding the target in the first match.

The Turks face a colossal task of putting high pressure on the Spaniards and keeping the goal save which does not sound plausible considering the fact that Gala have the worst defense line among the eight teams left in the Champions League as they conceded 12 goals.

The major trouble for the team is the absence of the top-scorer Burak Yilmaz who is suspended for the second leg. The hosts will also play without Dany Nounkeu, while Inan and Riera should return to the starting line-up after missing the win against Mersin Idman Yurdu in the Turkish championship.

Xabi Alonso and defender Sergio Ramos will not help Real in Istanbul after receiving suspensions in the first leg. Consequently Michael Essien and Rafael Varane are likely to appear in the middle of the defense.

The Capital side may also welcome back goalkeeper Iker Casillas who may return to the action on the pitch for the first time since January this year.

The Spaniards may continue claiming that they approach the fixture seriously, yet the intrigue is all but over after the first match result. An away goal will put an end to the tie and Real will aim to score as quickly as possible.