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Every four years, a young player emerges and blossoms into a star at the World Cup. Often the young player comes off the bench in the first game, and then during the rest of the tournaments, he’s the main man.
It is hard to predict exactly which players will be prominent at this kind of tournament, as lots of coaches pick young players with energy and fresh legs to do the damage at the latter stages of a tense game. With club officials and coaches from world class teams scouting young players at the World Cup, more and more younger players become stars after the World Cup.
Lets take a closer look at every group and which players can be the x-factors of their respective group:
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Group A: Carlos Vela Mexico, 21
Carlos Vela is having a tough time getting minutes at Arsenal, but Mexican coach Javier Aguirre isn’t worried about that. In Mexico’s last game before beginning their World Cup campaign, Vela scored the opening goal of the match. Vela will need to battle another Mexican youngster Javier Hernandez and veteran striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco for the starting forward position. Vela is a favorite to start in Javier Aguirre’s starting eleven and and hopes to show the world what he was taught at the Emirates.
Group B: Lukman Haruna Nigeria, 19
In 2008, Lukman Haruna was a wanted youngster. World class clubs such as Real Madrid, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid were interested in him but Haruna decided to stay with AS Monaco. Now, at the age of 19, Huruna will be looking to make his World Cup debut in Nigeria’s midfield. With John Obi Mikel suffering an injury and being forced to miss the World Cup, Haruna is the favorite to replace him. Haruna made 23 appearances from AS Monaco wile scoring 3 goals and assisting on one.
Group C: Jozy Altidore United States, 20 http://ow.ly/210Ga
Since leaving MLS side New York Red Bulls in 2008, Jozy Altidore is finding it hard to locate the back of the net. Since then, in 34 league appearances, Altiodore found the back of the net just two times while playing for Villarreal, Xerez and Hull City. But with the United States national team, Jozy is a different player. While scoring goals already against world class countries such as Spain and Turkey, Jozy Altidore will be United States number one striker up top looking to score.
Group D: Mesut Ozil Germany, 21
With Michael Ballack being out of the World Cup with an injury, Mesut Ozil will take over as the German’s playmaker. Ozil finished the 2009-10 Bundesliga season as a league leader with 17 assists for Werder Bremen. Ozil can be a dangerous player maker but also, he can score goals. This past season Ozil found the back of the net 9 times for Werder. If German coach Joachim Low decides to put out his youth such as Ozil, Toni Kroos, Marko Marin and Thomas Muller, German opponents will have a tough time getting through them.
Group E: Simon Kjaer Denmark, 21
Since joining Palermo in the summer of 2008, Kjaer become a star at his Italian club and most importantly at the international level for Denmark. Being in a hard group with the Netherlands and Cameroon, Kjaer will have to set up not as a youngster but as a veteran leader. Most likely, in the future, Kjaer will become Denmark’s captain and star player. With European clubs fighting over Kjaer, this is going to be an important tournament for the young defender.
Group F: Marek Hamsik Slovakia, 22
Just like the other youngster on this list, Hamsik is going to be a star. World class teams such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal are looking to snatch Hamisk after the World Cup. This past season, Hamsik has been one of the best young players in Italy and the world. As Slovakia are making their first appearance at the World Cup, don’t be surprised if Slovakia make some noise. The 22-year old Slovakia captain is considered the next Pavel Nedved and don’t be surprised to see Hamisk one day a star player like Nedved was for Juventus.
Group G: Seydou Doumbia Ivory Coast, 22
Its going to be hard for Doumbia to get some playing time but if Didier Drogba is going to be hurt, expect this youngster to take his place. Doumbia was transferred to Russian club CSKA Moscow after a brilliant few years with Swiss side BSC Young Boys. During his two years there, Doumbia scored 50 goals in 62 league appearances. When Doumbia gets on the field, hes going to be a target to score goals. In a very tough group with Brazil and Portugal, its keep your eyes open for an impact from this young striker.
Group H: Alexis Sanchez Chile, 21
Alexis Sanchez is a star player for Chile and will be an important part of this team if they are deciding to do something big. With Humberto Suazo out with an injury, Sanchez will take over as the team leading striker. A dangerous striker and winger, Sanchez will have to be marked tightly by the rest of the group’s defenders. Sanchez knows how to win in important tournaments as he led Chile U-20 team to an third place finish at the 2007 U-20 World Cup.
The Potentially Best Youngster of the Whole Tournament
Marek Hamsik will probably be the most important youngster for his nation as he is the leader and captain of Slovakia. Also as a player maker, Hamsik will carry the nation’s expectations on his shoulders during the tournament. Also, don’t forget that Hamisk knows how to find the back of the net himself.
Who do you think will be the most important young player to his nation?
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Ronaldo - Brazil (Getty Images/Bongarts)
With the World Cup just under under two weeks away, Goal.com runs down the Top 15 finals goalscorers of all time…
Please note: players level on the same number of goals are separated by their goal-to-game ratio...
15) Vava (Brazil) - 9 goals (1958,1962)
The late Brazilian centre-forward was part of the Brazilian squads that won the 1958 and the 1962 World Cup finals. He scored a total of nine goals in ten matches in those two editions.
Vava scored twice in the final of the 1958 World Cup against Sweden and four years later struck once against former Czechoslovakia in the final in 1962. The late Brazilian legend became the first player to score in two different World Cup finals.
14) Christian Vieri (Italy) - 9 goals (1998, 2002)
Vieri was a goalscoring machine at the peak of his power and struck nine goals in just nine appearances at the World Cup finals. In 1998 the 36-year-old scored no fewer than five times for his nation and found the oppsotions' goal on four occasions in the 2002 World Cup.
Vieri missed the 2006 World Cup because of injury and has already retired from football altogether, with many claiming him to be the best pure goalscorer Italy has produced in recent times.
13=) Eusebio da Silva Ferreira (Portugal) - 9 goals (1966)
Eusebio originally hailed from Mozambique but he played for Portugal at the national level. The now 68-year-old played in just the 1966 England World Cup but his exploits in the competition will forever be remembered.
Eusebio scored nine goals in just six matches in the 1966 World Cup and more importantly took his nation to the semifinals of the competition. His best performance in a Portugal came in the quarterfinals against North Korea in which the European side were 3-0 down. Eusebio decided to take sole control of the proceedings to strike four times to win the match 5-3 and to take his side to the semis.
13=) Ademir Marques de Menezes (Brazil) - 9 goals (1950)
Ademir featured in just one World Cup but it was a near-success. Brazil eventually lost to Uruguay in 1950 but the late former striker scored nine goals in just six matches. Ademir won the Golden Boot in the 1950 World Cup and entertained the spectators with his pace, shooting abilities, sublime finishing and strength.
Ademir never featured in another edition of the World Cup but he is already engraved in history.
12) Grzegorz Lato (Poland) - 10 goals (1974, 1978, 1982)
Lato scored seven of his ten goals at the 1974 World Cup and won the Golden Shoe in that competition. Poland finished third in the competition.
The former Poland winger scored twice in the 1978 World Cup in Argentine and added one more goal to his tally four years later to help his nation finish third in the 1982 World Cup.
11) Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 10 goals (2002, 2006)
Klose found the back of the net five times in the 2002 World Cup and all of his goals came from headers. His goals ascertained than a previously unfancied Germany team reach the final of the World Cup.
In the 2006 World Cup, Klose scored five more goals and led his side to the semifinals of the competition in front of his own supporters. The 31-year-old will get his chance to move higher up in the ranking as he is part of the Germany team for the 2010 World Cup.
10) Teofilo Cubillas (Peru) – 10 goals (1970, 1978, 1982)
The greatest Peruvian of all time, Cubillas was the inspiration behind his country’s run to the quarter final in 1970. He rose to stardom with his performance in Mexico and scored in all of Peru's matches.
Cubillas scored a memorable goal against Scotland eight years later in Argentina and helped his nation to the quarterfinals. The 61-year-old struck a total five times in the 1978 World Cup. However, he couldn't do anything of note in the 1982 World Cup.
9) Gary Lineker (England) – 10 goals (1986, 1990)
Gary Lineker is one of the greatest footballers England has ever produced and topscored at the 1986 World Cup with six goals, still the only England player to do so. Indeed, Lineker helped his country reached the quarterfinals of the competition.
Four years later the former Barcelona striker struck four times in the 1990 World Cup as England advanced to the semis.
8) Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) – 10 goals (1994, 1998, 2002)
Legendary Argentine striker with a bullet of a right foot, Batistuta is one of the best ever strikers not to have won the World Cup. At his peak during the 1994 and '98 editions, 'Batigol' was a class apart.
Batistuta scored an opening game hat-trick against Greece and scored one more. Four years later in France the Argentine striker scored yet another hat-trick, this time againstJamaica. As a veteran in the 2002 World Cup in Japan/South Korea, Batigol failed to do anything of note.
7) Helmut Rahn (West Germany) – 10 goals (1954, 1958)
‘The Cannon from Essen’ is best remembered for scoring twice in the 1954 final against Hungary. Moreover, he also played a huge role in creating the equaliser against the Hungarians.
Four years later in Sweden Rahn was again a star. He scored against the former Yugoslavia, becoming the first player ever to score at least four goals in two different World Cups. West Germany would reach the semifinals in the 1958 World Cup.
6) Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany) – 11 goals (1990, 1994, 1998)
Klinsmann was a prolific striker who excelled in three straight World Cups and forged an impressive partnership with Rudi Voller. The German legend who would later go on to coach his nation to the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup held in his home nation scored three goals in the 1990 World Cup as West Germany would win the competition.
Four years later in the 1994 World Cup in the USA, Klinsmann found the target on five occasions and in 1998 scored thrice, becomingthe first player ever to score at least three goals in each of three World Cups. Klinsmann still remains second all-time in World Cup goals scored by a German.
5) Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) – 11 goals (1954)
Like Just Fontaine further down this list, Kocsis only played in one World Cup but was a key player in the magnificent Hungary team of 1954, scoring in every game apart from the shock final defeat to West Germany.
Kocsis also scored two hat-tricks in the 1954 World Cup. One was against South Korea in Hungary's opening game of the competition and in the next game against Germany he struck four goals.
4) Pele (Brazil) – 12 goals (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970)
‘The King’ burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old in 1958, scoring twice in the final win over Sweden. He missed a large part of the 1962 World Cup but still scored against Mexico. However, Pele couldn't do much in the 1966 World Cup as he was brutally fouled by the opposition defenders.
But one of the greatest footballers of all time returned with a bang in the 1970 World Cup when he scored against Italy in the final as the South Americans won 4-1.
3) Just Fontaine (France) – 13 goals (1958)
The legendary French striker only ever played in one World Cup, but he remains to this day the top-scorer in a single tournament with 13 as France finished third in 1958.
In fact, Fontaine featured in just six matches at the 1958 World Cup. One of his memorable feats include scoring four times against the then defending champions West Germany in 1958. Needless to say, he won the Golden Boot in the competition.
2) Gerd Mueller (West Germany) – 14 goals (1970, 1974)
Arguably the best penalty box striker of all time, Muller hit 10 as West Germany finished third in the 1970 World Cup. He was a sensation in that competition and made himself a household name with his performance in that competition.
Four years later in the 1974 World Cup, Mueller scored four times as West Germany lifted the prestigious trophy. The 'Bomber' scored the winning goal in the 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the final.
1) Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15 goals (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006)
The legendary Brazilian won the 1994 World Cup when he was still a teenager. Four years later he was the centre of the Brazilian side that reached the final of the 1998 World Cup final.
The legendary Brazilian will forever be remembered for his comeback in the 2002 World Cup in which he scored no fewer than eight goals despite suffering with injuries for months. He scored twice in the final against Germany to lead the Selecao to glory.
Ronaldo also struck for Brazil in the 2006 World Cup but couldn't lead his nation to triumph in Germany.
By Subhankar Mondal
Jun 1, 2010 10:29:00 PM
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Who Will Be World Cup 2010’s Top Scorer?
Video-Shows  WorldCupTwitt.blogs
 The countdown to South Africa 2010 may have started but there is still plenty of time for surprises to take place in terms of team selections and final squad lists
. Coaches may spring a surprise or two and call upon unfamiliar names or perhaps the likes of the erratic Raymond Domenech will pick some unknown players.
Setting aside unforeseen events, injuries, suspensions or lack of form, a considerable number of players are all but guaranteed a spot o their national team’s roster heading to South Africa. It is perhaps early to confirm who has already scored his ticket to the World Cup but a few names will always surface when considering the most likely top scorer of the tournament. The top scorer does not have to be a striker so a number of attacking midfielders and wingers will be included on this potential list as shown below:
- Wayne Rooney: The English forward is still a young 24-year-old star player who will be the focus of Fabio Capello’s attacking schemes come next summer. Rooney scored 12 goals in 30 league appearances last season for Manchester United but he has already managed seven strikers in 11 games this season in the Premiership. The young forward has scored 25 times in the 55 matches he has played for his country. His last goal came in the World Cup qualifying destruction of Croatia (5-1 home triumph) back on 9 September 2009.
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- David Villa: The striker has an impressive record with both Valencia and Spain. He has found the net on 35 occasions in just 54 appearances. This implies the talented player has a better strike ratio than a goal every two games. Villa has scored a remarkable nine goals in 10 la Liga games this season. He forms a frightening partnership with fellow attacker Fernando Torres.
- Fernando Torres:The Liverpool striker does not have Villa’s impressive scoring record but he is still a very dangerous man inside the box. He has netted 23 goals in 71 international appearances for Spain. His scoring tally with Liverpool is impressive as he notched 24 goals in 33 league appearances in his first season at Anfield and followed that with 14 strikes in 24 matches in the Premier League. This season Torres is amazingly on 10 goals in just 10 games.
- Didier Drogba: The Ivory Coast striker is one of the most lethal players at the international level having notched 41 goals in only 60 caps for his country. Drogba has been in great form this season for Carlo Ancelotti as he has found the back of the net nine times in 12 league appearances. Drogba is a nightmare for defenders when on form due to his strength, pace and scoring abilities.
- Luis Fabiano: His goal tally stands at 25 in the 36 times he has represented Brazil. He scored twice in the important 3-1 victory over Argentina in Rosario on September 5, 2009. Luis Fabiano was top scorer in the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 with five goals, including a double against the Unite States in the final. He has five goals to his credit this season in just seven la liga appearances.
- Lionel Messi: The talented player is considered by many as the best player in the world at the moment. He has only managed 13 strikes in 41 appearances for Argentina but he has been in stunning form for Barcelona. He led the club to a treble last season after scoring 38 goals in 51 total appearances for the club while also providing assists on 18 other goals. He had 23 goals in 31 league appearances last season and he is on course to match or even beat the impressive figure having already scored seven times in just 10 la Liga matches. Messi is a delight to watch as he takes on defenders while making it look easy.
- Kaka: The former Milan icon has scored 26 times for Brazil in 73 appearances. He was instrumental in Milan’s success in Europe during the 2006-07 season as the club won the Champions League on the back of his incredible performances. He would finish top scorer in the European competition that season with 10 goals. He is now part of Real Madrid’s second Los Galacticos era since the turn of the century. The talented Brazilian has only managed three goals in 10 matches in la Liga as he tries to adjust to life after Milan.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portuguese missed Portugal’s play-off triumph over Bosnia but he should be back for South Africa 2010 barring any injury. The current Real Madrid star has managed to find the net 22 times in 68 matches for Portugal. He has scored five goals in just five appearances for Los Blancos as he is out injured. His scoring record with Manchester United was remarkable having scored 17 goals in 34 matches in the league during the 2006-7 season and then followed it with a stunning 2007-08 season capped by his 31 goals in 34 appearances in the Premiership. In his final season with United, he scored 18 times in 33 matches in the league. He won the European Golden Shoe during the remarkable 2007-08 season as the leading scorer across all the top divisions in Europe.
- Thierry Henry: Currently the man behind the most controversial use of his hand to contribute to a goal! His handball assist to William Gallas eliminated the Irish and sent France to South Africa 2010. The striker was extremely lethal during his spell with Arsenal but his scoring tally with Barcelona is quite respectable as he managed 19 goals in 29 matches last season. He has played 117 times for France and scored 51 goals.
http://www.worldcupbuzz.com
Masakan Recepi
David Villa 18% (149 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 6% (52 votes)
Wayne Rooney 18% (145 votes)
Luis Fabiano 18% (150 votes)
Lionel Messi 20% (164 votes)
Didier Drogba 4% (33 votes)
Thierry Henry 2% (13 votes)
Kaka 3% (28 votes)
Fernando Torres 10% (83 votes)
Total Votes: 817
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14 Apr 2010 - 00:25:07
Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov perhaps realised things were not working out for them at Manchester United when neither player made the team for last season's Champions League final against Barcelona in Rome.
Almost 12 months on, Berbatov remains stuck fast at Old Trafford, seemingly not trusted by his manager nor by some team-mates.
Tevez, meanwhile, remains so important to arch rivals Manchester City that he is likely to be forgiven for comments implicitly critical of his employers and manager Robert Mancini in an exclusive Sportsmail interview yesterday.
Pride of Manchester (City): Tevez has impressed for his new club this season
It is understood senior officials have been angered by Tevez's suggestions that Mancini trains his players too hard and that City should never have included the striker's image on the 'Welcome to Manchester' posters that upset his former boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, at the start of the season.
Nevertheless, Tevez, 26, will not be fined. The club's top scorer and most influential player, he is central to City's chances of sewing up that vital fourth place in the Barclays Premier League.
It has therefore been decided not to rock the boat ahead of Saturday's derby meeting with United at Eastlands.
Enlarge Tevez revealed in Sportsmail on Tuesday that he was annoyed about being the face of 'Welcome to Manchester' posters but he will be flattered to be the subject of a new illustration created by Shepherd Fairey, the man behind the famous Barack Obama 'Hope' poster.
Across the city, meanwhile, Berbatov is in limbo. If, as United expect, Wayne Rooney returns to fitness this week then his team-mate will not play against City.
Berbatov, signed for £30million two summers ago, has already become dispensable. It is unlikely the Bulgaria striker will be sold this summer. United's financial position is not healthy enough for them to sell on the cheap.
It would take a very good offer before a deal would be sanctioned. Nevertheless, Ferguson must sometimes look at Tevez - for whom United refused to pay £25m after his two-year loan spell ended last summer - and wonder if he let the wrong player go as he juggled his resources in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's exit.
Struggling: Berbatov has failed to hit the highs at Old Trafford
Berbatov divides opinion among fans and team-mates. Some cannot see past his apparent lack of work-rate and the dreadful posturing so noticeable in the goalless draw at Blackburn on Sunday. Others recognise the 29-yearold's intelligence, touch and close control.
The statistics appear to indicate he has been inferior to Tevez this season in just about every way - even though he has been playing in a superior team and with better players when selected.
At United, Tevez was admired for his work-rate and commitment. Only on the back of regular games has the Argentina star's true form returned.
When he moved to City, the backroom staff were warned by those familiar with his routines at United that he was a poor trainer. Only regular games, they were told, would bring the best out of a player who was fond, in the words of one source, of 'a bottle of Coke and a bar of chocolate when he got home'.
Having seen his early weeks at City affected by the legacy of a knee injury, Tevez only hit his stride at the start of the winter. Subsequently, he has assumed the mantle of talisman from Craig Bellamy and his goal tally now stands at 28. Significantly, Tevez starts every game and is sure to play this weekend.
Enlarge United have been boosted by news that Rio Ferdinand is making good progress in his bid to overcome a groin problem, while medical staff are very hopeful that Rooney will make a recovery.
That would again leave Berbatov looking on from the sidelines. A year on from Rome and little has changed for him.
CARLOS TEVEZ EXCLUSIVE: The Manchester City striker on football, family and foes...PICTURE SPECIAL: Eric Cantona picks up 'Legend of Football' award from Manchester United boss Sir Alex FergusonUnited great Giggs insists: We'll fight to death in bid for fourth-straight titleMANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROMA ACROSS THE WEB MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROMA ACROSS THE WEB
Explore more:People:Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Craig Bellamy, Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Rio FerdinandPlaces:Barcelona, Rome, Manchester, Argentina, Bulgaria
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SexfreeTips
The England team has been treated to some lovely partnerships up front in the last few years - you’ve got Beardsley and Lineker, Sheringham and Shearer, for a time there was Owen and Heskey. And now what? Rooney and “someone”. No one really knows.
All of which goes some way to explaining why England fared so appallingly in a Fifa poll to name the greatest attacking twosome in international football.
The winners, with 33 per cent of the vote, were Spain’s Fernando Torres and David Villa. Behind them, with 31 per cent of the votes were Messi and Higuain of Argentina. Then the 36 per cent of crumbs were doled out between the Chileans, Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez, Brazil’s Robinho and Luis Fabiano, Uruguay’s Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, and Mexico’s Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela.
Unfortunately, the selected England pair of Rooney and Crouch were left languishing in the football equivalent of Hale and Pace territory.
Here’s a visual doff of the cap to the winners…
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LONDON (AP) - David Beckham returns to Old Trafford as an AC Milan player in the Champions League, although he may have to make do with a place on the bench Wednesday as the Italian club tries to overturn Manchester United's 3-2 first leg advantage.
The former England captain, who is on loan to Milan from his Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy, is expected to get a warm reception from United fans having spent the first 10 years of his career there before departing in 2003.
But Milan coach Leonardo hinted that he might have to wait to make an appearance and that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar might start wide on the right.
"It isn't easy adapting to a new position," Leonardo said after Milan drew 0-0 with AS Roma on Saturday. "Huntelaar was very good on his side and had an excellent game.
"We really believe (we can win) and I always have full confidence in my team.
Clearly in Manchester we have to play as we know how to and not rush to try and create chances."
Milan is also likely to be without Brazilian striker Pato, who has a hamstring injury, while United will probably miss top scorer Wayne Rooney.
Rooney missed Saturday's 1-0 victory at Wolves which took United to the top of the Premier League. Scorer of 28 league and cup goals this season, Rooney has been in top form and scored twice in the victory at Milan. But he has picked up a knee injury and United looked far less impressive without him on the weekend.
"Rooney is very doubtful for the Milan game unfortunately," said manager Alex Ferguson. "It's one of these bad bits of luck you get. The Wembley pitch (in England's 3-1 victory over Egypt on Wednesday) has just killed him.
"I was pleased with how (Dimitar) Berbatov did against Wolves though and I'll probably start with him on Wednesday."
While United may be without Rooney, Arsenal is likely to miss captain and midfielder Cesc Fabregas against FC Porto on Tuesday as it attempts to turn around a 2-1 first leg deficit.
"Cesc felt a tight hamstring, but it had not gone away," Wenger said after Saturday's 3-1 victory over Burnley which put Arsenal closer to the league title it hasn't won since 2004. "He has a little chance for Tuesday. It depends how big the gamble is - I am ready to take the gamble.
But, if there is more than a 50 percent chance his hamstring goes, I will not take it."
In Tuesday's other game, Fiorentina needs only a 1-0 victory at home to Bayern Munich after lost the first leg 2-1. But it goes into the game having lost 2-1 to Juventus in Serie A.
"The match didn't go well and some of the players were already thinking about the match with Bayern Munich," said coach Cesare Prandelli. "Now we have to think about Tuesday. It is the most important game of the season."
Neck-and-neck with Barcelona in the Spanish title race, Real Madrid comes off a 3-2 victory over Sevilla on Saturday which took it above its big domestic rival on goal difference.
Madrid, a nine-time European champion, but not since 2002, has spent over euro250 million to try and regain the Continent's biggest club prize and needs to overturn Lyon's 1-0 first leg lead at home on Wednesday.
"Things will become complicated if (Lyon) score a goal," midfielder Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez said on Sunday.
"Real Madrid, with all of the signings it has made this year and knowing that the final is being played in the Bernabeu has to give 100 percent for the game. It would be a disaster if we were knocked out by a rival like Lyon, who are good but not among Europe's great clubs."
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