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Real Madrid are attempting to revive former glories to inspire
them on their mission to overturn a two-goal deficit at arch-rivals Barcelona
in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg.

Real’s website (www.realmadrid.com) ran a picture on Sunday of
their players celebrating a 2-0 semi-final first-leg victory at the Camp Nou in
2002 that paved the way for their ninth and most recent triumph in Europe’s
elite club competition.

Zinedine Zidane and Steve McManaman scored that night and the
Spanish giants drew the return leg at the Bernabeu 1-1 before Real beat German
side Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the final thanks to Zidane’s stunning volley.

“Everyone agrees it will be difficult, but no one gives up
hope,” the club wrote.

“This historic precedent is just what Real Madrid need to have
even greater faith in their chances on Tuesday.” Goalkeeper and captain Iker
Casillas added his voice to the message of optimism.

“The names of the two teams that will play the final haven’t
been inscribed yet,” the Spanish World Cup winner said.

“You never know what may happen. We will play in Barcelona
knowing a final is set to take place in a month and that any of the four teams
still in the championship may be in it.” The ill-tempered first leg in Madrid
last week, when World Player of the Year Lionel Messi struck two late goals
after Real defender Pepe had been sent off, resulted in UEFA opening probes
into the two clubs.

They both filed a complaint about the other with European
soccer’s governing body,

Barca reporting Real coach Jose Mourinho for belittling his
counterpart Pep Guardiola’s achievements and Real accusing the Barca players of
play-acting.

Common sense

Barca president Sandro Rosell sought to ease tension ahead of
Tuesday’s clash, urging the club’s fans to “show good manners and common
sense”.

“Our supporters are a model of good behaviour and I am asking
them to show that again this Tuesday, especially because all eyes will be on
us,” he told the club’s TV channel.

“I want them to support the team, forget about all the other
stuff and not get provoked.”

Barca and Real rested key players and were beaten in La Liga at
the weekend, Barca surrendering the lead and losing 2-1 at Real Sociedad and
Real going down 3-2 at home to relegation threatened Real Zaragoza.

REUTERS

The results preserved Barca’s eight-point lead over Real at the
top with four games left and the Catalans remain firmly on course for a third
successive Spanish league title.

Barca’s defence has been ravaged by injuries and their problems
deepened on Saturday when they lost centre back Gabriel Milito to a thigh
strain and reserve team fullback Martin Montoya to a fractured clavicle.

There was more positive news on Andres Iniesta’s calf injury
when the Spain midfielder, who missed last week’s first leg, took part in
Sunday’s training session.

Heroic habit

Real will be without Pepe for Tuesday’s game and defender Sergio
Ramos is also suspended.

Mourinho, who was sent from the bench for protesting Pepe’s
dismissal, will have to watch from the stands.

“Madridismo always believes in comebacks,” Real Director General
Jorge Valdano said on Sunday.

“If there was just one team that had the habit of being heroic, it would be
Real Madrid. Nothing should deprive us of feeling hope and excitement for
Tuesday’s match.”