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This season's Madrid derby saga is set for its eighth chapter

Real Madrid (0) v Atletico Madrid (0), Santiago Bernabeu, 7.45pm For two sides who had previously...
Newstalk
Newstalk

13.24 22 Apr 2015


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This season's Madrid d...

This season's Madrid derby saga is set for its eighth chapter

Newstalk
Newstalk

13.24 22 Apr 2015


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Real Madrid (0) v Atletico Madrid (0), Santiago Bernabeu, 7.45pm

For two sides who had previously met on six separate occasions this season, last week's first leg was not short of intensity.

As scoreless draws go, it was one of the more entertaining games you will see this year and we should expect that intensity to grow tonight.

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No two legged tie in the history of the European Cup has ever finished scoreless after 180 minutes so extra time should not be expected in Madrid tonight.

Real go into the game without the injured duo of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. Manchester United loanee Javier Hernandez will be expected to deputise alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic is the only injury worry for Atletico, but is expected to start.

Both sides are lucky not to be overly affected by suspensions at this stage in the tournament with Real's Marcelo and Mario Suarez missing out for the Spanish champions.

Atleti are unbeaten against Real this season. They will be under massive pressure to ensure that record remains intact tonight.

AS Monaco (0) v Juventus (1), Stade Louis II, 7.45pm

An Arturo Vidal penalty was all that separated the two sides last week in a tense Turin encounter.

Both teams are looking to reach the last four for over the first time in a decade with the Italians in pole position to do so.

Monaco are hoping for a tighter defensive performance than what they had in the last round against Arsenal, losing 2-0 but advancing on the away goals rule.

The Ligue 1 side still have one of the meanest defences in European competition despite the Arsenal loss.

Both teams are free of suspensions, but have long term injury worries.

French superstar Paul Pogba is still missing for Juve, while Lacina Traore wont be available for Leonardo Jardim's side.

Despite their performance in the first leg, and the ability of the opposition's defence, Juventus and Massimiliano Allegri will expect to reach the last four.

 

 


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