Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has promised his players will not underestimate APOEL Nicosia in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final despite seemingly already having one foot in the last four.

The Primera Division leaders triumphed 3-0 in Cyprus last Tuesday to all-but secure their progress, substitute Kaka scoring after setting up the first of Karim Benzema's late brace.

But Mourinho insisted he would not be taking anything for granted against the Cypriot underdogs - whose giant-killing run has accounted for Lyon, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk - and claimed he planned to stick closely to the winning formula which saw the capital club triumph 5-1 at Osasuna on Saturday.

"There won't be many changes in the line-up,'' he said at his pre-match press conference.

"The only one who played in Pamplona and isn't on the list is (Alvaro) Arbeloa. The rest have been called up to play. Pepe is here with me (at the press conference) because he will play.

"It is a Champions League match and we have a very good aggregate. Very few believe APOEL will score four goals at the Bernabeu, but football is football and we must respect the crowd expecting a good football match, and we must especially respect our opponent.''

Mourinho's men head into the Bernabeu encounter boasting a six-point advantage over champions Barcelona at the summit of La Liga.

Draws against Malaga and Villarreal last month allowed Barca to cut Madrid's lead from 10 points to six, but the Portuguese does not feel his side will be adversely affected by thoughts of the title race or their recent exertions.

"My players are fine,'' he said. "They don't feel tired. They are confident and all want to play.

"We've earned very good numbers in the Champions League these last couple of years. We've obtained many victories, few draws and only one defeat. We want to continue doing a good job and earn another victory tomorrow.

"I only want my team to win and to play well. We've been obtaining good results - regardless of who plays - from the very beginning of the season, which is very important to me.

"This group is strong and united. We've always felt the same way and we will stick together to the end. We will cry or laugh together on the very last day.''

Lassana Diarra and Ricardo Carvalho remain sidelined through injury but will train with the team on Friday, but Xabi Alonso is available again after suspension and Angel Di Maria will look to continue his comeback from a thigh injury after coming off the bench at the weekend.

" Di Maria's injury is complicated,'' Mourinho added.

"He's been training at full pace for 10 days, but that's not the same as playing matches.

"He benefited from the 10 minutes he played in Pamplona and he will play more tomorrow, but not the entire game. He is very important to the team and we've missed him despite earning positive results.''

APOEL lost key defender Marcelo Oliveira to injury inside 10 minutes last week after his standing leg twisted under him as he overcommitted in a tackle, and he misses the second leg along with forward Ivan Trickovski (broken hand).

Coach Ivan Jovanovic could also be without striker Ailton due to a virus, while wing-back Nektarios Alexandrou (groin) and midfielder Athos Solomou (shin) are also doubtful.

Jovanovic acknowledged scoring four goals at the Bernabeu would be virtually impossible for his side, but if his team do get knocked out of the competition they will do so with their heads held high.

"Madrid are in the semi-finals - there's no question about that,'' the Serbian told the Cyprus Mail.

"The second leg will be harder (than the game in Nicosia). We need to try to exit the competition in the best possible fashion.

"Our campaign will forever be written in gold in the history of not just our club but Cypriot football also.''

Match

Muki, where's Chelsea vs Benfica thread....r u Beefing us again?

Blues 4 life........

Expectedly we should win this one.
except a GREAT MIRACLE happens where Apoel Scores 4 goals.

Lets hope its the players that makes the headlines tomorrow and not the referees.

hala madrid.

Of course, Real Madrid will win. Expect flurry of goals from C. Ronaldo and co.

Of course, Real Madrid will win. Expect flurry of goals from C. Ronaldo and co. UP MADRID

Goodluck to Madridistas! They asked for an easy ride to the semis and they got it. Time now to challenge and play against more worthy opponents. Funny thing is, Madrid tends to underrate Bayern. I hope I'm wrong

Mcleao, last season if I may recall, Madrid were never tied with a superior side until they met Barca that had them shipped outta the CL, same thing has happened this season. They'll be meeting the 1st superior team in the semi's again, and I bet if they can go past those german machines. Big 1st test of this season for them.

usbcable: Expectedly we should win this one.
except a GREAT MIRACLE happens where Apoel Scores 4 goals.

Lets hope its the players that makes the headlines tomorrow and not the referees.

hala madrid.

LOL!!!

RM will win this & get knocked out by Bayern Munich. Barcelona will win the cup AGAIN

eyoniggar: Mcleao, last season if I may recall, Madrid were never tied with a superior side until they met Barca that had them shipped outta the CL, same thing has happened this season. They'll be meeting the 1st superior team in the semi's again, and I bet if they can go past those german machines. Big 1st test of this season for them.

we met with thesame milan you just tutored the marvelous art of penalty kicks.
then we beat em 2-0 in our backyard---- clean goals
and drew 2-2 away------ no controversy claims after this match too.
I hope your memory now recalls the matches clearly.

Fellywood: RM will win this & get knocked out by Bayern Munich. Barcelona will win the cup AGAIN

and next year both teams will try again. nothing new.

Mcleo007: Goodluck to Madridistas! They asked for an easy ride to the semis and they got it. Time now to challenge and play against more worthy opponents. Funny thing is, Madrid tends to underrate Bayern. I hope I'm wrong

if mourinho is not underratting Apoel, why will he underrate Bayern.
**shrugs shoulder**
Bayern has a 50/50 chance of going through same as RM if they both meet in the semis.

game on!

Damn! Where is the Chelsea thread

There is only one Chelsea - we're are the BILLIONAIRES!!!

ronaldo scores!

kaka makes it 2

Madrid n0ni

mukina2: kaka makes it 2

That kaka goal is a beauty to behold.

^
seriously i saw it during the break it was just too good, i hope injuries free him small just so he can shine again

apoel scores

2 -1

kombats: madrid go kill person ooooooooooooooo

Abi!

ronaldo scores again

4 -2
lol

Callejon for Madrid

Solari For Apoel

5 -2
di maria scores

game over

kombats: madrid go kill person ooooooooooooooo

They can't, i'm guided by the living football god - Messi-ah : )

UEFA didn't take a pity on Apeol