Real Madrid vs. Apoel Nicosia: Keys to APOEL Scoring a Historic Upset in Madrid

Real Madrid is playing today at 2:45 ET against APOEL Nicosia. Los Blancos scored a 3-0 win in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals in Cyprus last week.

There are two ways the Cypriots can play a historic match. One way is to score three at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The aggregate would be 3-3 but, with both teams having three away goals, they go to penalties. What happens then is anyone’s guess. 

The other way is, obviously, scoring four goals and not letting Real Madrid getting through their defense.

Los Blancos are probably, and rightfully so, not worried at all. They are playing a small team from Cyprus who has never played in the quarterfinals before.

Scoring four goals in Madrid against the second best club in the world sounds illogical. But so did Arsenal upsetting AC Milan in London and we all know how that went. (The Gunners were very close to becoming the first team in history to come back after losing 3-0 in the first leg.)

However, there are few things we should keep in mind.

In Mourinho’s style, Real Madrid will probably stay in the back defending and not bothering too much to score. It may be a boring game but it’s the final score that counts. APOEL will have to breach Real’s defense.

Real Madrid’s manager Jose Mourinho will most likely rest some of his stars because the team has a tough game in La Liga coming up in four days against Valencia. It looks like defender Raul Albiol and midfielder Esteban Granero, are gaining more trust by their coach. They have played only 6 and twelve games for Madrid, respectfully, and may clock more minutes against APOEL.

We already know that Real Madrid cannot use defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra, who is injured. Midfielder Angel Di Maria, forward Jose Callejon and defender Ricardo Carvalho are also out. Midfielder Xabi Alonso is suspended.

If Mourinho decides to surprise the opponent letting reserves get some playtime, he is the one who should be watching out for surprises. The good news for them is that midfielder Mesut Oezil is allowed to return on the pith after a suspension.

APOEL's manager Ivan Jovanovic has his entire squad eligible and fit to play. Only midfielder Gustavo Manduca is suspended after scoring against Lyon and later being sent off.

I won’t get into the money discussion. Real’s cheapest player earns more than APOEL’s most expensive one. That sums it up. But the cheap team’s road so far in the league shows how playing with a big heart and no egos can surprise the rich.

APOEL have survived 14 games including a penalty shootout against Lyon.

You won’t recognize their players’ names but they sure are talented. All eyes are on the Brazilian striker Ailton.

And finally, the Cypriots have nothing to lose. This usually is a red flag for any opponent. Inexpensive and small European team is on the biggest soccer stage with nothing to prove. They’ve already done what no one expected of them. That’s why they can relax and just play their game.