Champions League — 30 April 2013

Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from an injury to face Dortmund for Real Madrid this eveningSpanish giants Real Madrid host Dortmund this evening in the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Los Blancos must try to overturn a 4-1 deficit from the first leg to progress to the final and a likely meeting with Bayern Munich.

Only one team has managed to comeback from a 4-1 first leg defeat in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

That team was fellow Spaniards Deportivo La Coruna who defeated AC Milan 4-0 to progress in the quarter-finals of 2004.

Real received a boost with the news that the competition’s top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to play, after the Portuguese star picked-up an injury in the first leg. Ronaldo is the competitions top scorer with 12 goals this season.

Real full-backs Marcelo and Alvaro Arbeloa will miss out on the encounter, as the pair are both carrying injuries. Real boss Joe Mourinho looks to be on the brink at the Bernabeu and he will be hoping for a Madrid miracle this evening.

Dortmund was impressive in the first leg at the Signal Iduna Park. Striker Robert Lewandowski scored four times in the first leg and will be looking to heap more misery on Madrid in this evening’s clash.

The Polish international has played a part in 52 per cent of his teams’ goals in the Champions League this season. Just like Real, Dortmund has fallen short in their domestic league, losing their Bundesliga crown to bitter-rivals Bayern Munich this season.

Dortmund look to be heading into the clash with a full-strength squad, after Mario Gotze and Ilkay Gundogan shook of slight niggles. Full-back Lukasz Piszczek is Jurgen Klopp’s only injury worry, as he is currently carrying a groin injury.

This should be a fascinating encounter with both teams keen to ensure that they are at Wembley for the final in May. Dortmund has an extra incentive with the possibility of gaining revenge over rivals Bayern in the final.

Can Real Madrid produce a comeback against Dortmund?

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David Nugent

David is a 29 year-old football fan and journalist, who is passionate about the beautiful game. He is a lifelong supporter of Premier League Everton and likes nothing better than a healthy discussion about the world's favourite sport.

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