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Paris Saint-Germain confirm Verratti & Pastore out of Manchester City clash
By Robin Bairner
Apr 5, 2016 19:35:00
Laurent Blanc will be able to welcome back Angel Di Maria and Serge Aurier to his panel for the match at Parc des Princes, but the two midfielders are still on the sidelines
Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that both Marco Verratti and Javier Pastore will miss the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City.
Verratti has been on the sidelines since the middle of February and had long been considered an injury worry prior to the clash, while Pastore misses out with a calf issue that saw him miss Argentina’s recent World Cup qualifiers.
On the other hand, Angel Di Maria has returned to the unit after being overlooked for the weekend’s 4-1 victory over Nice following a knock he picked up with the Albiceleste. Blanc confirmed that the former Manchester United man has trained on each of the last three days and is at full fitness.
Otherwise, PSG boss Laurent Blanc boasts a full squad for the encounter and has chosen to include right-back Serge Aurier in his panel for the first time since the Ivory Coast international insulted his team-mates and coach during a live Periscope chat in February.
PSG squad to face Manchester City: Trapp, Sirigu; Aurier, David Luiz, Kurzawa, Marquinhos, Maxwell, Thiago Silva, Van der Wiel; Di Maria, Lucas, Matuidi, Nkunku, Rabiot, Stambouli, Thiago Motta; Augustin, Cavani, Ibrahimovic
Wolfsburg do not fear Real Madrid, insists Hecking
By Joe Wright
Apr 5, 2016 17:33:00
The Bundesliga side take on Zinedine Zidane's men on Wednesday and their coach says his team must "go through fire" if they are to emerge victorious from the tie
Wolfsburg boss Dieter Hecking says his side will hold no fear of Real Madrid when they meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Zinedine Zidane's side are firm favourites to emerge victorious from the tie and go into Wednesday's first leg off the back of a 2-1 win in the Clasico which ended Barcelona's 39-game unbeaten run.
Hecking has plenty of respect for Madrid but has challenged his players to "go through fire" in order to rise to the challenge and record a positive result in Germany.
"Games like this are the salt in the soup. This is what every footballer and fan wants. This is a huge opportunity for us," he said on Tuesday.
"I'm happy when I sit here tomorrow and you congratulate me on a good performance, but for that I need a team who will go through fire tomorrow.
"There is respect, but not fear. I also hope we get the support from the fans. We need to fight with our own weapons."
Cristiano Ronaldo's winner at Camp Nou on Saturday took his tally to 42 for the season, but Hecking has warned Wolfsburg they cannot put all their effort in to stopping the Portuguese.
"We can't just focus on Ronaldo," he said. "[Karim] Benzema is also very dangerous, [Gareth] Bale, defenders like Pepe and Sergio Ramos. So is Toni Kroos, who pulls the strings in midfield."
Wolfsburg hope to have Bas Dost back from a broken foot which has kept him sidelined since the middle of January, but Hecking will leave a decision on centre-back Naldo until the last moment.
Real Madrid will approach Wolfsburg tie like a final, says Zidane
By Jamie Smith
Apr 5, 2016 20:14:18
Los Blancos are expecting a tough match against the Bundesliga side and their coach says they have already forgotten their Clasico win over Barcelona at Camp Nou
Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid will approach their Champions League last-eight meeting with Wolfsburg as if it is a final.
Madrid travel to Germany for the first leg of Wednesday's quarter-final billed as heavy favourites on the back of Saturday's 2-1 Clasico victory against Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Zidane said he expects the Bundesliga side, who are eighth in their domestic league, to give Madrid a stern examination despite the indifferent season Dieter Hecking's side have experienced.
"It will be a tough match but we are well prepared," Zidane said. "We will approach it like a final, we cannot relax: the win against Barcelona is already forgotten.
"We are in good shape and the team are focused – that is the most important thing for me.
"Wolfsburg have fought hard to be here and deserve to be here. They may have had problems in the Bundesliga, but this is a completely different competition.
"We are not untouchable and Wolfsburg are able to hurt us. They have a fast attack, so we have to be alert."
Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo - the feted BBC attack - are again expected to lead the line for Madrid and Zidane hailed his potent strikeforce in his pre-match press conference.
"Cristiano, Benzema and Bale - what they have to do before they defend is to attack," Zidane said.
"When you want to win a tough game like last Saturday or tomorrow they must also have defensive work, but the important thing is to attack."
Madrid are in the quarter-finals for the sixth year in a row, while Wolfsburg have never been this far in the Champions League, but Zidane stressed how hard he expects the clash to be for his side.
"More than anything, I want my players to concentrate on their own strengths," Zidane said.
Paris Saint-Germain 2 Manchester City 2: Fernandinho earns Pellegrini´s men a draw
6 April 2016
A 72nd-minute equaliser from Fernandinho grabbed Manchester City a 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain after an absorbing first leg to their quarter-final Champions League tie.
After Joe Hart saved Zlatan Ibrahimovic's early penalty, the visitors struck first at the Parc des Princes when Kevin De Bruyne finished off a quick counter-attack, thrashing a shot beyond PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp to register his 14th goal of the season.
However, a shocking error from Fernando gifted Ibrahimovic an equaliser, the Swede's attempt to block a pass ending up in the net to make amends for his earlier profligacy.
Adrien Rabiot put PSG ahead when tapping home from close range after the hour, but Fernandinho made the most of a lucky break inside the box to grab Manuel Pellegrini's men what could be a crucial draw in the French capital.
With two away goals, Manchester City - playing in the last eight for the first time in their history - hold the upper hand ahead of the second leg, particularly as yellow cards for Blaise Matuidi and David Luiz mean the duo are suspended for the return fixture in England.
Both PSG players were involved in two penalty appeals in an action-packed first half.
While Matuidi's fall inside the area after colliding with France team-mate Eliaquim Mangala was ruled as accidental by referee Milorad Mazic, Luiz was awarded a spot kick after enticing an ill-judged challenge from Bacary Sagna.
However, Ibrahimovic's attempt was was kept out by Hart, who dived low to his right to turn the ball aside for a corner.
The forward also fluffed his lines when again facing up to Hart - back in action after suffering a calf injury in the Manchester derby on March 20 - in the 24th minute, sending a curling effort over the top when put clean through by Rabiot.
City were far more clinical on the counter in the 38th minute. Fernando robbed possession from Rabiot in the centre circle, allowing Fernandinho to set up De Bruyne for the opening goal.
But, having done so well for his side's goal, Fernando gifted PSG an equaliser three minutes later. Dealing with a goal-kick, the midfielder's casual attempt to play a square pass on the edge of his own area was blocked into the open net by Ibrahimovic, with Hart in no position to make a save.
The England goalkeeper was in the right place to keep out a flicked header from Edinson Cavani in the second half - only for the rebound to break perfectly for Rabiot to tap into the net in the 59th minute.
City needed the woodwork to keep out a looping headed effort from Ibrahimovic before not one but two lucky breaks at the other end led to their equaliser.
A low cross from Sagna was touched by a stretching Serge Aurier - playing his first game since being punished for insulting manager Laurent Blanc and a number of team-mates on Periscope in February - onto Thiago Silva, with the deflections setting up Fernandinho to scuff home an equaliser.
There were to be no more goals in an enthralling encounter, with City heading into next week's return at the Etihad Stadium holding the advantage.
Key Opta stats:
- Joe Hart is the only goalkeeper to save two penalties in the Champions League this season (two faced) and has saved each of his last three penalties in the CL.
- David Luiz was booked after 12 seconds, the quickest yellow in the Champions League this season and the fastest since 2003-04.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored in five consecutive Champions League games for the third time in his career (he also did it in February 2012 with Milan and February 2014 with PSG).
- Paris Saint-Germain have lost only one of their last 39 home games in European competition (W25 D13), that was against Barcelona in April 2015.
Wolfsburg 2 Real Madrid 0: Rodriguez and Arnold shock Spanish giants
6 April 2016
Goals from Ricardo Rodriguez and Maximilian Arnold helped Wolfsburg to a surprise 2-0 home win over Real Madrid as the Bundesliga outfit took a giant step toward the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.
Rodriguez found the net from the penalty spot after Casemiro was adjudged to have fouled Andre Schurrle inside the area, before Arnold added a second midway through the opening half of the quarter-final first-leg tie at the Volkswagen Arena.
Madrid created a number of chances to pull one back, with Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo all threatening, but they were unable to beat goalkeeper Diego Benaglio for an important away goal.
Wolfsburg could even have made it three as they caused the visitors all kinds of trouble with their quick counter-attacks, but Schurrle failed to get his shot on target.
Madrid now face a tough task to turn things around when both sides meet again at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, after a disappointing display coming four days after their Clasico triumph at the home of fierce rivals Barcelona.
Ronaldo - who netted the winner at Camp Nou on Saturday - rightly had a goal disallowed for offside after only two minutes here, having found the net after a clever throughball from Benzema.
Benzema himself could have opened the scoring after turning Dante inside out in the Wolfsburg area, but Benaglio's trailing leg successfully kept out the Frenchman's low shot, with Bale blasting the rebound wide.
Rodriguez then earned Wolfsburg the lead in the 18th minute, coolly converting a penalty after Casemiro felled Schurrle as Madrid went a goal down for the first time during this Champions League campaign.
The opener served as a huge boost for Wolfsburg and Arnold doubled his side's lead just seven minutes later. Bruno Henrique sent in a low cross from the right and the Germany international beat Sergio Ramos to the ball before tapping home from close range.
Madrid created a number of chances to pull one back before half-time, with Benzema, Toni Kroos and Bale all going close.
Zinedine Zidane's men were then dealt another blow when Benzema was forced to leave the pitch due to injury shortly before the break, with Jese Rodriguez taking his place in attack.
Ronaldo looked to lead his team early in the second half, trying his luck from outside the box on two occasions, before heading over the bar after a fine cross from Bale.
Schurrle could have piled even more misery on the Bernabeu side halfway through the second period after a quick break, only to wildly fire over the bar from 10 yards out.
Benaglio again showed his class with 20 minutes left on the clock as he denied Ronaldo with a fine save after the Portugal star had been set up by substitute Isco.
Madrid pushed hard for an away goal in the closing stages of the game, but Wolfsburg held out for a famous victory, as Dieter Hecking's men stunned the 10-time champions and took a significant step towards the last four.
Key Opta stats:
- Keylor Navas conceded his first goal in the Champions League after 738 minutes of play.
- Wolfsburg have now won five Champions League games in a row, extending their best ever run in the competition.
- Real Madrid last overcame a two goal first-leg deficit in European competition in 1987, beating Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup quarter-final.
- Cristiano Ronaldo made his 124th Champions League appearances taking him to joint 6th in the all-time appearance list (level with former team-mate Paul Scholes).
Real Madrid v Wolfsburg: Zidane bullish on comeback hopes
10 April 2016
A bullish Zinedine Zidane has warned Wolfsburg that his Real Madrid team can "achieve anything" ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Wolfsburg stunned Madrid in last week's first meeting, running out 2-0 winners thanks to Ricardo Rodriguez's penalty and Maximilian Arnold's well-taken finish in the first half.
Zidane cited fatigue as a reason for his side's below-par display at Volkswagen Arena, with Madrid's trip to Germany coming just four days after their energy-sapping Clasico victory over Barcelona.
However, the Frenchman - who made eight changes to his starting XI for Saturday's 4-0 La Liga rout of Eibar - insists Madrid are ready to launch an assault on Wolfsburg's lead as they bid to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the sixth season in a row.
"We'll have to increase our level - we are fully aware that we are two goals behind, and we know we'll play a complicated game," Zidane told the media after the victory over Eibar.
"But I'd like to say that we are able to achieve anything. During the season we were not always at our best, but we are also able to achieve great things.
"What we need to do first is get some rest - we'll prepare on Monday, and we do not have much time to do so.
"We are not going to work much but will choose the team and the strategy that is best against Wolfsburg. There is not too much to consider - we just need to be focused.
"We need to be on our game straight away, like we did today and usually are at home."
Madrid head into Tuesdays' match in high spirits, with their Clasico win at Camp Nou and Barca's subsequent slip-up at Real Sociedad on Saturday - coupled with their own win over Eibar - reigniting the Liga title race. Zidane's men now sit just four points adrift of Barca with six league games remaining.
The Eibar victory also featured yet another milestone for Cristiano Ronaldo, who became the first player to net 30 La Liga goals in six straight seasons. The Madrid superstar is also this season's top scorer in the Champions League, with 13 goals in just nine appearances.
Wolfsburg, meanwhile, are languishing in eighth in the Bundesliga, with a 1-1 draw with Mainz on Saturday dealing another blow to their faint hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Dieter Hecking's team are now winless in their last four league outings, and the coach blamed "tired minds" after they failed to hold a lead given to them by Andre Schurrle's goal early in the second half against Mainz.
Key Opta stats:
- In 15 previous instances of teams losing 2-0 away from home in the first leg of a Champions League game, only twice have sides managed to progress - Barcelona in February 2013 (v AC Milan) and Manchester Utd in February 2014 (v Olympiacos).
- Real Madrid have won 29 of their last 34 Champions League games at the Bernabeu (D3 L2).
- Madrid are the only team yet to concede a goal at home in the Champions League this season.
- Wolfsburg – who are in the quarter-finals of Europe’s top club competition for the first time in their history – have won their last five Champions League games, their best ever run and the longest current streak among teams left in the competition.
Benfica v Bayern Munich: Bernat prepared for ´war´
11 April 2016
Bayern Munich defender Juan Bernat is eagerly anticipating the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Benfica, but expects a tough test in Lisbon.
The Bundesliga leaders recorded a 1-0 win in the first game courtesy of an early Arturo Vidal strike and will be looking to book their ticket for the final four on Wednesday.
Bernat is well aware that it will not be straightforward for Bayern, though, and hopes they can get an early goal at the Estadio da Luz to make things easier.
"The game against Benfica will be like a war," Bernat told TZ.
"Benfica will be hugely motivated and try to take advantage of the home advantage. It will be a great game, I have no doubt about that.
"I hope that we can score an important away goal. That would make things very difficult for them.
"We cannot always expect our attackers to score three or four goals."
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola will still be without the likes of Jerome Boateng (groin), Holger Badstuber (ankle) and Arjen Robben (groin) due to injury, while Kingsley Coman (thigh) and Medhi Benatia (groin) are both doubtful.
Benfica saw off Zenit in the round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals and have now set their sights on their first semi-final appearance since 1989-90.
Midfielder Pizzi knows overturning a one-goal deficit against one of Europe's top clubs will not be easy, but the Portugal international is nonetheless hopeful Benfica can pull off a surprise.
"We've been showing our quality in the Champions League. It's not just my dream but the dream of all my team-mates to be in a Champions League semi-final," Pizzi told the official UEFA website.
"We're close, we know it will be difficult but we will give everything. We will fight from the first minute to the last to achieve our goal.
"There is a fantastic atmosphere at the Estadio da Luz. Our fans show all their passion, and obviously everyone at Benfica expects another great European night."
Benfica will have to make do without suspended star striker Jonas following his booking at the Allianz Arena, while Julio Cesar (thigh) and Nuno Santos (knee) will also be missing.
Key Opta facts:
- 68 per cent of teams that have won 1-0 at home in the first leg of a Champions League game have gone on to progress to the next round (19 out of 28).
- Bayern Munich have knocked out Benfica in each of their three previous home/away encounters in European competition
- Nicolas Gaitan has been directly involved in Benfica's three goals in this season's Champions League knockout stages (One goal, two assists).
- Bayern are winless in their last six away games in the Champions League knockout stages (drawing three, losing three).
- Benfica have scored more than two goals only once in their last 39 Champions League games (v Anderlecht in November 2013).
Atletico Madrid v Barcelona: Rakitic not worried by holders´ slump
11 April 2016
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has urged his team-mates to remain calm as they approach Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Atletico Madrid in stuttering form.
A second-half brace from Luis Suarez allowed Barca to edge a bad-tempered first-leg 2-1 after Atleti goalscorer Fernando Torres was sent off for two bookings in quick succession.
That victory now stands within a slump of one point from a possible nine in La Liga, with Saturday's 1-0 reverse at Real Sociedad following a Clasico loss to Real Madrid and 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
Atleti are now only three points behind Barca at the top of the table, but first have designs on ending their reign as European champions before attempting to topple them as kings of Spain.
The Catalan giants can at least reflect on a fine record against Diego Simeone's side under their current boss, with Luis Enrique winning seven from seven ahead of his latest test at the Vicente Calderon.
Rakitic made his 100th Barcelona appearance as a substitute at the weekend and the former Sevilla man insists there are other reasons not to panic.
"We are still in the position that we want to be and we deserve that," he told Canal Plus.
"I never like to swallow defeat but we may be a little but pleased with what has happened in general, if not with what is happening in games at this time.
"We will try to look forward and forget [the Sociedad] match. It was a defeat determined by small details. Sometimes the ball does not want to go into the net, But we have to keep looking ahead because we've performed well and were dominant.
"If we are not able to create chances, then we should be worried.
"We are all united like a big family. We have to stick with this mentality for the next match. We have no doubt.
"Sometimes you get something like a victory over Atletico - a special game like last week could be a boost."
Torres misses out through suspension, having equalised in the 3-1 weekend win over Espanyol before star forward Antoine Griezmann and midfielder Koke got in on the act.
Koke was part of the side that dumped Barca out of the Champions League at this stage in 2013-14 before pipping them to the Liga title.
The prospect of a repeat suddenly appear more likely than when the draw was made and the Spain midfielder is in an understandably buoyant mood.
"It was a very important victory [over Espanyol] for Wednesday, the Calderon will be buzzing," Koke said.
"We are up for it. The other day in Barcelona we couldn't win due to circumstances but we believe we can turn it around."
Neymar and Lionel Messi scored second-half goals to give Barcelona a 2-1 win in Madrid when the sides met in La Liga back in September - another occasion on which the banned Torres opened the scoring.
Key Opta stats:
- Of teams who won 2-1 at home in the first leg of Champions League knockout ties, 52 per cent have gone on to progress in the next round (11 from 21).
- Atletico Madrid have picked up five red cards in their past five competitive games against Barcelona, who have not had a single man dismissed during the same period.
- The last time Barcelona failed to score in the Champions League was in the 1-0 defeat that knocked them out at the Vicente Calderon in 2014.
- Atletico's 12 goals in nine games is the lowest return of any Champions League quarter-finalist this season.
- Barcelona have only kept one clean sheet in 13 European matches against Spanish opposition.
Blanc: Ibrahimovic fired up to avenge City penalty miss
11 April 2016
Laurent Blanc says Zlatan Ibrahimovic is desperate to prove a point against Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker missed a penalty and a one-on-one with Joe Hart in the first game in France, although he did equalise Kevin De Bruyne's opener in the 2-2 draw by capitalising on Fernando's error.
Blanc concedes it is a rarity to see the Sweden star spurn two such chances in a single match but has backed him to prove a point at the Etihad Stadium.
"You're always surprised that he can miss chances to score. It happens in a career, in a match. Unfortunately for him, it happened in that game," he said on Monday.
"But it was also he who scored our first. He's a very diligent lad. He also has the heart to show something different."
Looking back at the first leg as a whole, Blanc continued: "The players were aware that we didn't play a great game, even if we were not dominated.
"We've analysed the first game and looked at some of the errors we made. We need to be more solid at the back. We are capable of qualifying but we know how difficult it will be. It is up to us to be more compact and impose ourselves.
"We need to score, we don't have any choice. We're well aware of that. The team that concedes the fewest goals will go through, because there will be goals.
"Tomorrow, we'll need to be excellent in all areas to go through."
Blanc is likewise confident that Angel Di Maria can replicate his best form when the former Manchester United winger returns to the north-west of England for the first time since last year's transfer.
"Di Maria is under pressure, like everyone else," Blanc added. "He came here to bring us quality and experience. He's won the Champions League.
"He must show his best. You have to have the right motivation."
Marquinhos' agent was reported to have slammed Blanc's treatment of the defender after he was left out of the first leg in favour of Serge Aurier, who had just returned from a club-imposed suspension.
Blanc, however, says he has not held talks with the player - who is heavily linked with Barcelona - over the matter or the prospect of increased involvement in the first team.
"I have not talked with Marquinhos. I don't need to. The players who don't start are always affected," he added.
"He has more than helped out at right-back. But we had a choice, and I made it. He's not happy, I can admit that. But if I have discussions with everyone, my days will be very long."
Bale 'surprised' at Man City's slow Champions League progress
By Sam Lee
Apr 25, 2016 19:40:00
The Madrid winger has seen the Premier League club progress under Manuel Pellegrini during his time in Spain, but suggested he had expected them to have reached the semis sooner
Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale says he is surprised Manchester City have not reached the Champions League semi-finals sooner.
Bale will play his first game in England since his 2013 switch to the Santiago Bernabeu when Madrid take on City on Tuesday evening, the first time the Premier League club have advanced this far in the competition.
City have won their second league title and the League Cup since Bale moved to Spain, and are now making waves in the Champions League.
The Welshman has noted the Blues' progress from afar, but says he would have expected them to have made a bigger impression on the biggest stage.
"If anything I’m surprised they haven’t got here earlier," he told reporters. "They’ve progressed over the years. They’ve been a force in the Premier League and starting to be in Europe. Hopefully now we can stop them."
With Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid contesting the other semi, City are the bookmakers' outsiders to lift the trophy this season.
Bayern are on course to win the Bundesliga title once more and Atletico are locked in a three-way battle for La Liga, while City had crashed out of the Premier League race by mid March and have endured a patchy campaign.
But Bale does not believe facing Manuel Pellegrini's men will be any easier than if Madrid have been handed another tie, especially now he feels they have corrected the issues that saw them dice with quarter-final elimination at the hands of Wolfsburg.
"No matter who you face in the semi-final they’re a great team," he added. "They’re here on merit. No matter who we faced it was a difficult game."
"We’re feeling confident at the moment. We’ve not had great performance away at Wolfsburg but we’ve learned from it and corrected it. We need to impose ourselves."
The Welshman also refuted the suggestion he has anything to prove on his return to the British Isles, instead focusing on trying to secure Madrid's passage to the final as early as possible: "I don’t feel I have a point to prove.
"I’ve played long enough to be OK about that. We want to stamp our authority and win by as many goals as we can. It's going to be difficult. The first legs are always a bit tense, a bit cagey. It’ll be great to score goals, but all we’re going to do is give our best. Hopefully that’ll be enough."
Lewandowski: Champions League glory the perfect farewell for Guardiola
25 April 2016
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski wants to give Pep Guardiola the perfect send-off by winning the Champions League.
Guardiola - who will leave Bayern for Manchester City at the end of the season - has guided FCB to back-to-back Bundesliga titles since joining the club in 2013 and is on track to make it three in a row this campaign.
Champions League success has evaded him so far with the Bavarians, though, and Lewandowski is desperate for European glory this season.
"It would be amazing if we could bid farewell to Guardiola by winning the Champions League, it would be the icing on the cake after all the time we've had together at Bayern. I hope it happens," Lewandowski told the official UEFA website ahead of the first leg of their semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
"Everyone chooses their own path, their own direction, and everyone knows that when one door closes, another opens.
"But we want to win every single match until the end of our time with Guardiola. We want to be celebrating until the end."
Lewandowski has been in stunning form in 2015-16, scoring 38 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for Bayern, but he remains hungry for more.
"It has been a very decent season. I hope to score a few more important goals and I hope to win some trophies, but I'm happy to be scoring so many," he added.
"Both Poland and Bayern have been playing really well this season, but it's not over yet, there's still a lot to do.
"I train hard every day and look to get better. Regardless of how many I've scored, I still want more."
Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich: Lewandowski fired up to face Champions League´s best defence
25 April 2016
Robert Lewandowski is eager to put Atletico Madrid's formidable defensive record to the test when Bayern Munich visit in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
Diego Simeone's side defeated holders Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate to reach the last four after a disciplined 2-0 win at the Vicente Calderon in the second leg, with Barca failing to score in a Champions League game for the first time since a 1-0 loss to Atleti in April 2014.
Atletico have kept a clean sheet in 13 of their last 15 home Champions League games, while goalkeeper Jan Oblak recently surpassed Thibaut Courtois' club record of league shut-outs in a single campaign, with the Slovenian now on 23.
Lewandowski has been in fearsome form for Bayern this season and has eight Champions League goals so far, but the Poland international has struggled on the road in Europe, having failed to score in seven of his last eight away from the Allianz Arena.
Rather than feel daunted at the prospect of facing Atleti's defence, however, Lewandowski is relishing the prospect of finding a crucial away goal to silence the vociferous Vicente Calderon crowd.
"They have the best defence in the Spanish Liga. I think they're a team that play on the break. We need to be careful," he told UEFA.com.
"As a striker, it's a challenge to face a side that concede so few, but I'm happy to be playing against them. We know it will be tough, but we are Bayern.
"We've heard the atmosphere there is among the top three in Europe when it comes to how the fans support their team. I like playing in front of crowds like that. Regardless whether you're at home or away, those are always great matches for any player. Even though the crowd might be against you, it motivates you and your adrenalin goes to the limit."
Bayern, who have scored more goals (28) than any other semi-finalist this season, have reached this stage of the tournament six times in seven years and have won their last three domestic matches without conceding a goal.
Pep Guardiola's side could also face an Atleti defence shorn of its leader, with Diego Godin battling to recover from a hamstring problem in time for the match.
Jose Gimenez returned to action in the 1-0 win over Malaga at the weekend, however, and the Uruguayan is fully prepared for the same kind of test which his side experienced against Barca in the quarter-finals.
"The game against Bayern will be as difficult or even more so than the one against Barcelona," he said. "They have different weapons but play similar football.
"We hope it won't be their night and that we can get a good result."
Tiago (broken leg) remains out but Atleti have an otherwise strong squad to choose from, with Fernando Torres available after a ban, while Bayern have a number of concerns for the trip to the Spanish capital.
Jerome Boateng is unlikely to be fully fit despite returning to training following a long-term groin injury, while Holger Badstuber (ankle) is out and Arjen Robben (groin) is expected to be unavailable. Sebastian Rode, meanwhile, is battling illness.
Key Opta Stats:
- Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich's only previous competitive encounter was in the 1974 European Cup final. Bayern were victorious 4-0 in a replay after the teams played out a 1-1 draw (after extra-time) in the initial final.
- Diego Simeone's side have won 12 of their 16 Champions League games at the Vicente Calderon, but only one of their last six in the knockout stages (drawing three, losing two) - their last outing against Barcelona (2-0).
- Bayern Munich are winless in their last seven away games in the Champions League knockout stages (drawing four, losing three).
- Pep Guardiola has reached the semi-finals in each of his seven seasons as manager in the Champions League but has been knocked out at this stage in each of the last three campaigns. The last time he made it to the final was in 2010-11 with Barcelona (3-1 v Manchester United).
- Thomas Muller has scored 15 goals in his last 17 Champions League starts.
Manchester City v Real Madrid: Fernando fired up for historic semi-final
24 April 2016
Fernando admits Manchester City are feeling the weight of history as they prepare for the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
City beat Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals to move into the last four of Europe's premier competition for the first time, and will host the team who has reached this stage more than any other side (27) in the first leg on Tuesday.
Leicester City need just one more point to ensure that Manuel Pellegrini's side cannot win the Premier League, leaving the Champions League as the last trophy the Chilean can bring to the Etihad Stadium before he departs to make way for Pep Guardiola in July.
Fernando concedes Tuesday's clash at the Etihad Stadium is a momentous occasion for the club, but the midfielder says his team-mates are relishing - rather than fearing - the prospect of facing Madrid.
"We know it's a very important game, not only for the players but for the fans," the Brazilian, who is expected to recover from a minor knee problem, told City's TV channel. "It's one of the most important games in the history of this club.
"We are very excited and looking forward to the game. Hopefully we'll then do well in Madrid."
Madrid likewise head into the semi-final knowing that the Champions League could be their last hope of salvaging success from another mixed campaign.
Zinedine Zidane's side came from 2-0 down to beat neighbours Rayo Vallecano on Saturday to stay within a point of the top of La Liga, but they still rely on Barcelona and Atletico Madrid slipping up to claim the title.
Madrid fought from a two-goal deficit to beat Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals thanks to a second-leg hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portugal star remains a doubt for the clash with City due to a thigh complaint which kept him out of the Rayo win.
Gareth Bale scored twice to secure the points in his absence, but Marcelo insists the collective strength of the team will be enough to compensate should Ronaldo be sidelined again.
"The team is Lucas Vazquez, Luka Modric, Isco, Pepe... it's all of us, not just Cristiano or Bale," he said. "Obviously they are great players and in one-on-one situations they are better and create more danger.
"Today [Saturday], the whole team were strong and fought until the end. Now we have to be united."
Madrid, who are unbeaten in eight games against English opposition in the Champions League, have slight concerns over Karim Benzema (knee) as well as Ronaldo, though Dani Carvajal (bruised knee) will hope to be fit.
Yaya Toure picked up a thigh injury in the 4-0 win over Stoke City and will face a fitness test for City, but Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne should both return after being rested for Saturday's game. Raheem Sterling should also be available.
Madrid drew 1-1 with City on their only previous competitive visit to the Etihad back in the group stages of the 2012-13 season.
Key Opta Stats:
- Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in each of their last two Champions League games at the Etihad (v Dynamo Kiev and PSG). They had only kept one clean sheet in their previous 17 home games in the competition.
- City are the only team left in the semi-finals who have averaged under 50 per cent possession in the Champions League this season (48.6 per cent).
- Real Madrid have kept more clean sheets than any other team in this season's Champions League (eight in 10 games). They have also won more games than any other team in this campaign (8).
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored/assisted 77 per cent of Real Madrid's goals in this season's competition (20 out of 26). He is only a goal away from tying the record for most goals in a Champions League campaign, a record he currently holds (17 in 2013-14).
- Sergio Aguero has failed to score in his last three Champions League games, his longest drought in the competition since his run of five games without a goal between November 2011 and October 2012. He has not had a shot on target for 342 minutes.
Benzema a doubt for Madrid's crucial Champions League clash due to hamstring strain
By Iain Strachan
Apr 28, 2016 14:45:09
The France international may now miss next week's crucial Champions League clash following the injury he suffered on Tuesday
Real Madrid have confirmed Karim Benzema is suffering from a hamstring strain following the striker's substitution at half-time in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final away to Manchester City on Tuesday.
France international Benzema was replaced by Jese Rodriguez as Madrid drew 0-0 at Etihad Stadium, leaving everything to play for in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Madrid on Thursday confirmed the nature of the 28-year-old centre-forward's injury but did not provide a timeframe on his likely return.
"After tests today at University Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja, the player Karim Benzema has been diagnosed with a myofascial strained right hamstring," the club said in a statement.
Los Blancos are away to Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday, with head coach Zinedine Zidane also troubled by the fitness of star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who sat out of the match against City due to a thigh problem.
"Hopefully they can be in the second leg but we have to take it day by day for them," Zidane said of the attacking duo after the stalemate in Manchester.
"We're going to try and get them fit for [the second leg], that's our plan but I can't assure you of anything right now. We obviously want them back."
Madrid are third in the Liga table, one point behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who are level on 82 points in first and second place respectively.
