Real examine Athens problems

Real Madrid will be hoping AEK Athens are distracted by domestic concerns when they arrive at the Bernabeu for Tuesday's Champions League clash.

League football in Greece has been paralysed since TV company Alpha Digital Synthetic - who held the broadcast rights for 10 clubs - folded last month.

As a result, AEK have had to make themselves content with a couple of domestic cup games since September 22, hardly the best preparation for facing Ronaldo and company.

In addition, club president Makis Psomiadis was jailed for 12 years earlier this month after being convicted of forgery.

A sub-par performance would be welcomed by Madrid, themselves, embarrassed by Racing Santander on Saturday night.

Los Merengues were played off the park in losing 2-0 - a result that has seen plenty of criticism hurled their way.

It was also annoying because a player on loan from Madrid, Pedro Munitis, scored the second goal fantastic fashion, lifting the ball over Spain keeper Iker Casillas.

"That was the worst performance since I have been in the first team squad, but it's not a catastrophe, it's only one game and if it only happens once every five or six years then it's not so bad," Casillas said of Madrid's display.

"The same thing happened last season and we still ended up winning the Champions League," he said.

"The players are not stupid and we know when we have played badly."

"There is no way it was a problem of attitude, it is just that sometimes nothing works for you."

The goalkeeper promised the Bernabeu loyal they would see a different Madrid tomorrow, which could be ominous for the Greeks.

"If we beat AEK then everyone will forget this defeat," said Casillas.

Their domestic league may be in turmoil because of the television contract, but AEK showed no sign of being distracted three weeks ago when taking advantage of the European champions' weakness at set pieces to race into a 3-1 lead.

They subsequently buckled under a Madrid fightback and had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

The return fixture is unlikely to follow a similar path even if Madrid are still without Luis Figo and Raul.

Both players have slight groin strains picked up on international duty for Portugal, and Spain, respectively.

Raul is also suffering from general fatigue and the club has preferred to keep him back for next weekend's league game against Villarreal.

Coach Vicente del Bosque should, however, have no problems in being able to pick Zinedine Zidane and Guti.

The pair were limited to working in the gymnasium yesterday as a precaution following Saturday's game against Racing when each picked up knocks.

Ronaldo is almost certain to make his Champions League debut in a Madrid shirt as Del Bosque looks likely to keep faith with the team that performed so poorly at the weekend.

AEK coach Dusan Bajevic is certainly hoping to avoid a backlash.

"It is definitely a difficult game for us," he said.

"Teams like Real recover fast from defeats in their domestic leagues, especially when they play at the Bernabeu."

"We cannot say that we are going to Madrid looking for the points because it is a different match [to the one in Athens]."

"We want to play as we did in the first game against Real, without pressure, fear and as best we can."

"I believe in my players and if we play according to our capabilities we can get the result we want."

The Yugoslavian will be without striker Dimitris Nalitzis who is not yet match fit and Bulgarian midfielder Milen Petkov is also sidelined but is expected back on the training field within 10 days.

Striker Demis Nikolaidis should shrug off a back problem to start and defensive duo Vassilis Borbokis and Grigoris Georgatos are also available.