A Real Gala Affair

Joyous midweek if you are a football fan with passions (and tension) running high. The starry European nights are here, the very reason why Sir Alex Ferguson claims he is reluctant to hang up his boots just yet. For 3 of the Quarter-finalists tonight - Malaga, Galatasaray and Borussia Dortmund - it marks a special occasion indeed. They are in the business end of the UEFA Champions League and that doesn't happen very often.

Real Madrid are in pursuit of the 'Decima', a 10th European crown. Madrid are the royalty of Europe already, but a 10th title would just push them into an exalted status altogether. For Jose Mourinho, it's the dream of a 3rd crown with as many teams, something that nobody has ever achieved before. With Barcelona running away with the league title, all of Madrid's energies are focused on claiming the big European prize. They were very close last year, going out agonizingly on penalties to Bayern Munich in front of their home fans. And Mourinho and his men would look to make that final step this year.

Cristiano Ronaldo is doing what Cristiano Ronaldo does - scoring goals, making plays, defying gravity to hang in the air, you name it. He is joint top scorer in this year's competition with 8 goals. He shares that mantle with a guy who he will line up against tonight, more on him later. An emotional encounter with his former club Manchester United in the previous round was a dicey one, but Real pulled through and he scored 2 goals to help them on their way. They have stuttered in the league, but then again it's understandable considering where their priorities lie.

What bodes well for them is the return to form of current captain Sergio Ramos and the emergence of teenager Raphael Varane that has strengthened the defence. The duo were Madrid's standout players in the tie against United and especially in the 2nd leg were the 2 best players on the pitch along with keeper Sergio Lopez. They still struggle when they are given the ball and forced to dictate the play and United exploited this weakness very well.

What they do have in plenty is goals and electric pace up top with Ronaldo, Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain forming a lethal trio that can tear into any side. They were before yesterday, the best attacking side along with Bayern having scored 19 goals in 8 games. Once again the first leg is at home, and Real will be keen to put this tie to bed right here, right now before embarking on their trip to 'Hell'.

Turkish football is always associated with emotionally charged passionate crowds, colorful and vibrant atmosphere and players and managers who tend to play with their hearts on their sleeves. Fatih Terim, 'the Emperor' as he is called, has steered Galatasaray into the final 8. And whatever folks may say, they have earned their right to be here. You must be doing something right when you have the competition's joint leading goal scorer in your ranks. Burak Yilmaz has been on a tear in the Champions League and has matched Ronaldo when it comes to scoring. What is of real significance is that Gala have netted only 11 goals so far and Yilmaz has bagged 8 of them. Real though have failed to keep a single clean sheet so far and that will be encouraging news for the Turks as they will look to take back a precious away goal.

Didier Drogba is one man who striker who knows how to take his team to glory as he exemplified last year. He has joined the Turkish giants along with Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder to add some bite and Champions League winning experience to the squad. It has been 12 years since Galatasaray made it this far, way back in 2000-01 and it was Real who stopped them, emerging 5-3 winners on aggregate after each side won its home leg. They are charged with a mammoth task once more and while not impossible, it is isn't the easiest. Plus, with Madrid having had a big 2 games against United, you'd reckon they would have dusted off any rust and have that big game win under their belts. While for Gala, they did well to rally to beat Schalke, but this is a stern test for them.

TEAM NEWS

Fabio Coentrao and Raphael Varane both missed the game at the weekend and are rated doubtful for tonight's encounter. Varane, if he doesn't make it, will be a big miss as he was one of their key guys against United repelling many an attack. Iker Casillas is fit again, but it is very unlikely that Mourinho will start the Spanish captain preferring to go with Diego Lopez instead.

Engin Baytar and Aydin Yilmaz have not traveled to Spain and that means Johan Elmander (remember him from Bolton Wanderers) could feature. Otherwise, the Emperor has a full complement of players to choose from.

Galatasaray have improved markedly since the competition began and have gotten better with every game. With Yilmaz firing in front of goal and new additions Drogba and Sneijder, they carry a sizable threat. The first leg though will be important as a heavy defeat could leave them with too much to do in Istanbul. Real at their best this season have been unplayable especially when Ronaldo and Di Maria get on the ball. Plus there's a certain 'the Special One' in their corner, who knows all about winning the Champions League. It could very well turn out like their last encounter with home wins for each side with Madrid scoring more.

Fatih Terim before the game said: "When the draw was made, we drew a team whose goal it is to win the trophy. Madrid have some of the most important players and maybe the best coach in the world. We know very well who we are facing but in the Champions League we have already proved our strength and belief. We will have a great game regardless of the result." So we can expect goals and a good dose of entertainment, it sure does promise to be a Real Gala affair.