APOEL Nicosia coach Ivan Jovanovic has called on his players to give the "perfect'' performance against Real Madrid tomorrow night but accepts even that may not be enough against the Spanish giants.

APOEL's last-16 defeat of Lyon saw them become the first Cypriot team to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League and Jovanovic's men go into the first-leg clash at the GSP Stadium as rank outsiders.

Madrid lead the Primera Division by six points from defending champions Barcelona with nine games to play and enjoyed a 5-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu at the weekend.

APOEL ground out a goalless draw with city rivals Omonia on Friday night and are third in their domestic league.

The indicators point to a comfortable Madrid win over the two legs with even Jovanovic hinting his players may lack the necessary quality to push Jose Mourinho's expensively-assembled side.

The Serbian said: "Certainly we have to play the perfect performance to do something, and I don't even know if that will be enough to get a good result.''

Cristiano Ronaldo is the obvious dangerman for Madrid - the Portuguese becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals in Spanish league history on Saturday night.

The former Manchester United star scored twice in the win against Sociedad and by reaching 101 goals in 92 games surpassed Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas, who hit three figures in 105 games.

On his last visit to Cyprus, in September last year, Ronaldo was booed when playing for his national side at the same venue and Jovanovic is hoping the passionate APOEL fans afford him plenty of respect this time round.

He added: "I was at that game and the attitude of the people to Ronaldo was the worst possible.

"Madrid are a very big club and deserve the respect of everyone, including our own fans.''

Madrid may be closing in on their first La Liga title since 2008 but all is not as rosy as it appears.

Last Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Villarreal and the reaction to the red cards shown to Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil - Mourinho and fitness coach Rui Faria were also dismissed - prompted a media blackout before and after the Sociedad game.

UEFA rules stipulate Mourinho must speak to the press before a Champions League game but the Portuguese was not forthcoming when asked what purpose the blackout served.

"I don't have to justify anything nor do I decide anything,'' he said, despite claims yesterday from club director and former striker Emilio Butragueno that the decision had indeed been taken by the club's coaching staff.

On the game itself, Mourinho admitted Madrid were favourites but warned APOEL would not be underestimated.

He added: "My feeling is that tomorrow we will have a tough game.

"I hope the return at the Bernabeu will be a little easier because we will be in our stadium.

"We are favourites and we cannot compare the history of both teams but football is football and we respect them.''

With Xabi Alonso suspended, Mourinho will likely choose between Fabio Coentrao and Esteban Granero to play alongside Sami Khedira in midfield.

Germany international Khedira is also anticipating a tough game.

"We know that APOEL are a good team and we respect that,'' he said.

"They did well in the group stage and then eliminated Lyon. They are a good team, strong, and play with heart. We respect that, but we will win.''

Match

Free visa to the next round. But i hope my guys wont be too relaxed sha !!!!. Hala madrid !!!!

Madrid should not under-rate them because every team in the quarter final is a worthy opposition. But i expect Madrid to progress. UP MADRID

game on

Its a one way traffic so far.

the format is all too familiar.

defend with your lives for 80 minutes

by then the attack and mid field would have tired out

by then the defence will think the match has ended

then bam you can the hit casillas when he least expects

thats the way to beat RM.

SO SAAAAAAAD

hahaha just saw Benzema's miss na wa o

A game to win easily by Madrid. I see a Penaldo brace at the end of it all.

Goodluck to the fans. You've been shi.t at a lot.

Mcleo007: A game to win easily by Madrid. I see a Penaldo brace at the end of it all.

Goodluck to the fans. You've been shit at a lot.

na by force to type?
abi them cajole you?

usbcable:

na by force to type?
abi them cajole you?

#Justsaying

this is becomin pathetic.

nxt thing ramos will forget about his defensive duties
will concede a needless free kick and then the unbelivable happens.
apoel scores.

this thrend is becoming a nightmare

well so far its still 0-0

Madrid goall.
Benzema..assist by Kaka

karimu score 1 - 0 madrid

goal finally

and almost same time chelsea scores.

where is this super moderator , she you no go update frontpage

madrid and chelsea score literally the same time in their away games respectively!

lets hope the defence stays alert now

kakaraka make it 2 for madrid

thats my marcee

i want to get greedy.

hope cr scores

Marcelo gives one clever pass + one assist equals two goals. Wish my blues will at least keep that 1-0 score line or score one more to close shop.

karimu again 3-0

usbcable: i want to get greedy.

hope cr scores

may be penalty

madrid win 3-0 ..common Apoel you can beat them 4-0 at thr bernabau even without shooting a shot at goal

This one no be live match ooo, 0-2 in favour of madrid and the thread still read 0-0 na wa oo

Gbamm over and out

Final score 0-2 in favour of madrid. Abeg help us wake mukina2 to update this thread oooo, anyway I don't blame her, it's easy being online all days. Kudos!


Gbamm over and out

collinsfbi: Final score 0-2 in favour of madrid. Abeg help us wake mukina2 to update this thread oooo, anyway I don't blame her, it's easy being online all days. Kudos!
Gbamm over and out

2 ke? its 3. Benzy got a double.

FBS:
2 ke? its 3. Benzy got a double.

BUT mukina no wan update as usual.

real madrid is one of, if not the best team(s) in the world. who born apoel nicosia

msb247: real madrid is one of, if not the best team(s) in the world. who born apoel nicosia

followed by arsenal