CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEWS AND REPORTREAL MADRID striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is likely to miss tonight's Champions League match at home to AS Roma because of an ankle injury.
"Van Nistelrooy is almost certain to miss out," coach Bernd Schuster said yesterday.
The Dutch international is set to join injured winger Arjen Robben and suspended full back Sergio Ramos on the sidelines.
Ramos will also miss the Primera Liga games against Espanyol and Deportivo Coruna after receiving a two-match ban for insulting referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez when he was sent off in Saturday's 3-2 win over Recreativo Huelva.
Schuster was nonetheless upbeat about Real's chances of overturning their 2-1 deficit from the first knockout round first leg in Rome.
"I'm totally confident the team that takes to the field will knock Roma out if we do things right," said the coach.
Real are pinning their hopes of overturning the deficit on the return of Robinho and a flawless display in defence.
The Brazil forward had an instant impact when he reappeared after a two-week injury lay-off against Recreativo. He put Real ahead with almost his first touch after coming on as a substitute and then scored another with a classy finish.
"Robinho is a really important player for us and we need him," midfielder Guti said. "When he's playing we can rest at ease. He can turn matches and score goals. He's a phenomenon."
As well as having to unlock the Roma defence, the nine-time European champions' chances of making the last eight for the first time in four seasons will depend largely on being able to keep a clean sheet against the Italians.
"A 1-0 win will be enough, but we know we are up against a good team and that we cannot afford to make any mistakes," added Guti. "The key is not to let them score."
Meanwhile, Schalke 04 coach Mirko Slomka's job will not be affected should his side fail to capitalise on their 1-0 first leg advantage over FC Porto at Estadio do Dragao tonight despite losing their last four Bundesliga matches and slipping to sixth in the table.
"You can be sure that whatever happens, Mirko Slomka will be sitting on the bench on Saturday in Bielefeld," board member Clemens Toennies said.
