Real Madrid (1) v Bayern (1) Bernabeu Stadium, 7.45 On TV: Network 2, Sky Extra: Real Madrid will, at least, have their captain Raul fit to lead their attack against Bayern Munich in tonight's Champions League second-round return.
An ankle injury prevented Raul training yesterday but he joined in a practice match and was then cleared to take on all manner of responsibility.
The coach, Carlos Queiroz, needs Raul's talismanic qualities as well as his European experience and nose for goal even more than usual in the attacking absence of the injured Ronaldo.
Raul and Manchester United's Gary Neville shared the record of 84 Champions League appearances ahead of this week's matches. Raul is also the leading scorer among active players on 44 goals, needing six to overhaul the record set by his predecessor - and honorary club president - Alfredo Di Stefano.
However, the injury has revived superstitious Spanish memories of last season's ill fortune when Madrid were eliminated by Juventus after he suffered appendicitis.
Raul, three times a Champions League winner and still only 26, said: "I felt good out there on the training pitch and I suppose tomorrow will be better still. We'll have to see what the ankle can take, but I'm confident I'll be able to play the 90 minutes."
Madrid are missing not only Ronaldo but also their other key Brazilian, left back Roberto Carlos. Ronaldo tore a thigh muscle in the 1-1 league draw at Santander on Saturday while Roberto Carlos is suspended after a retaliatory slap in the face for Bayern's Martin Demichelis in the first leg.
The suspension prompted a Spanish media campaign against Bayern which will be reflected in the atmosphere tonight.
Madrid claimed Bayern officials had persuaded the UEFA match observer to review television pictures of the clash between Roberto Carlos and the Argentinian Demichelis. Bayern's chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, dismissed the suggestion as "sheer idiocy".
The ill feeling generated by the issue will fuel the tension weighing on the Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who has admitted he was haunted for days by memories of the mistake that gifted Roberto Carlos Madrid's equaliser in Munich.
Kahn has been at the centre of controversy for the past year after domestic problems and then his national team rivalry with the Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. But both Kahn's coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, and his girlfriend, Verena Kerth, believe in his strength of character.
Hitzfeld said: "I have no fears for Kahn; he believes in himself as a world-class goalkeeper."
Kerth put faith in the strength of her personal relationship with Kahn, saying: "Oliver needs me. Just as a single drop of ink colours 100 litres of water, I want to snuff out the hatred in the stadium with my love."
REAL MADRID (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Michel Salgado, Pavon, Helguera, Raul Bravo; Beckham, Guti; Figo, Zidane, Solari; Raul.
BAYERN MUNICH (4-4-2): Kahn; Salihamidzic, Kuffour, Kovac, Lizarazu; Hargreaves, Demichelis, Ballack, Ze Roberto; Pizarro, Makaay.
Referee: U Meier (Switzerland).
Guardian Service
