Galatasaray will have to rewrite history here on Tuesday if they are to overturn a three-goal deficit against Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final, second-leg clash.
The odds are stacked against the Turkish champions with Madrid having advanced on all seven previous occasions in Europe after winning the opening leg 3-0.
Added to the challenge in front of them is the fact that Real coach Jose Mourinho, who's seeking a third Champions League title with a third club, has never been eliminated at the quarter-final stage in six attempts.
Galatasaray boss Fatih Terim is also without the suspended Burak Yilmaz, whose tallied eight goals in Europe this term, as well as Cameroon defender Dany Nounkeu, whose absence will further weaken a fragile defence that already has conceded 12 goals in the competition thus far, more than other remaining contender.
The only good news for the Turkish outfit is the form of Didier Drogba, who defied his advancing years to net twice in the league over the weekend.
That, however, may count for little as Madrid travel to Istanbul on the back of a 5-1 demolition of Levante on Saturday and with the Champions League's leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo in inspired form.
Source: AFP
