Different challenges for Spanish sides in Champions League quarter-final return legs

Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-09 20:44:47|Editor: Shi Yinglun
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MADRID, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Three Spanish clubs return to Champions League action this week, although two of them have a much better chanceof progressing into the semi-final of the competition than the other.

FC Barcelona travel to Rome on Tuesday night to defend the 4-1 lead they took from the first leg a week ago. The result in the first leg may have been harsh on Roma, who defended solidly for the first half, but were undone by two own goals. It's hard to see Barca letting a three-goal lead slip.

Lionel Messi was below his usual best last week as he put the finishing touches to his recovery from a groin injury, but as his hat-trick against Leganes at the weekend showed, he is now fully fit.

Sergio Busquets, Samuel Umtiti and Andres Iniesta all got a rest at the weekend and will all start in the Olympic Stadium as Barca play their 51st competitive game of the season.

Real Madrid also look to have done the hard-work ahead of Wednesday's home game against Juventus. The reigning champions beat the Italians 3-0 in the first leg and it is hard to imagine Juventus overturning that advantage even though their coach Massimiliano Allegri claims, "Real Madrid could have a bad day as we did a week ago."

Zidane is clearly taking no chances and Luka Modric, Isco, Karim Benzema and Casemiro were all on the bench for Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid to save their legs for Wednesday night.

One problem could be in central defense where Sergio Ramos is suspended, while Nacho Fernandez is injured and a late physical problem saw Jesus Vallejo miss out at the weekend.

If Vallejo can't recover in time, Casemiro may have to drop into defense with Mateo Kovacic covering in midfield.

Sevilla have the toughest task as they travel to face German champions, Bayern Munich needing to overturn a 2-1 home defeat. Sevilla played well in the first 45 minutes of the first leg, but then ran out of steam and Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Celta Vigo hardly implies they have recovered.

Luis Muriel looks likely to lead the attack and Vincenzo Montella has to decide who will play in goal after dropping Sergio Rico for the first leg only to see his replacement David Soria fail to shine against both the Germans and in Vigo.

The good news for Montella is that Ever Banega is available after missing out a week ago and he should give more control to the Sevilla midfield.

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