Real fancied to oust United

LONDON: Raul or no Raul, Real Madrid are still overwhelming favourites to oust Manchester United from the Champions League football tournament.

Called the “best player in the world” by United manager Alex Ferguson after Real Madrid won the first-leg quarterfinal, Raul Gonzalez underwent emergency surgery on Monday for appendicitis. Raul scored two goals in the dominating 3-1 victory in Madrid two weeks ago. Even without Raul for today’s return leg at Old Trafford, Real has superstars Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Luis Figo and remains a strong bet to reach the semifinals and win a 10th title.  Ajax play at AC Milan in today’s other second-leg quarterfinal after a 0-0 draw in Amsterdam.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson had joked last week that Raul should be banned from entering the country for the second leg. “Alex Ferguson didn’t want him (Raul) to be allowed into England and we’ve taken things a step further by not even letting him out of Spain,” Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano said. “All we can do is lament the situation and repeat the confidence we have in a squad that has won so much in recent years.”  Raul will be replaced up front by Jose Maria “Guti” Gutierrez. “It’s left me speechless,” Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque said. “There’s no doubt that losing Raul is a big blow for us. Now we have to act like real professionals. We can’t start crying about it.

“The team has lost its flagship but we all hope that with the squad the club has we will overcome this setback,” said Madrid’s Spanish international goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Casillas warned of overconfidence and said this match may be different. “The English fans are incredible; they cheer their side non-stop. They could be losing 3-0 and they still keep on trying to lift their side. Manchester are transformed in Old Trafford. It’s like a going from day to night or Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde and when they attack you, it’s like having to stand up to a train.” Italian referee Pierluigi Collina will handle the match before a 67,500 sellout at Old Trafford. Collina refereed the World Cup final last summer between Brazil and Germany and is considered the game’s best.

Manchester United is the decided underdog but would advance to the semifinals with a 2-0 victory on the away-goal rule.   English bookmakers have the Spanish as 1-7 odds-on favourites to reach the semifinals, with Man U at 4-1. One thing is certain: one of the sides won’t be playing in the May 28 final at Old Trafford. Real Madrid and Manchester United have played seven times dating back to 1957, and the English team has won only once. That came in 1968, a 1-0 victory en route to the Reds’ first of two European Cup titles. Man United will be without midfielder Paul Scholes and defender Gary Neville —- both suspended. Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is nursing a thigh injury, while Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron is expected back after missing six weeks with a knee injury.