Real suffer as Raul goes under the knife
Raul was admitted to the Ruber Clinic in the Spanish capital suffering from a fever at around 4pm and once appendicitis was diagnosed, he was immediately admitted for surgery, which the club said had been a complete success.
“It’s a surprise for sure, but we are all professionals and not going to start crying,” Real coach Vicente Del Bosque said. “Raul’s absence is a setback, he’s a player who can add something in any situation, but we’ve got a strong squad and can cover for him.”
Club captain Fernando Hierro suggested Raul’s absence could even galvanise Real.
“We’ll be playing for him now. It’s a pity he’ll be out but that’s life. As a professional football player there are always situations you can’t control,” Hierro said.
Nevertheless, Raul’s absence is likely to cause a sigh of relief at Old Trafford, after he scored twice in the 3-1 win in the first leg two weeks ago. United manager Alex Ferguson admitted Raul had been the main menace in their first encounter this season.
“Real have bought great players in (Luis) Figo, (Zinedine) Zidane and Ronaldo but for me the best player in the world at the moment is Raul,” Ferguson said following his team’s defeat in Spain on April 8.
The most likely replacement for the man, who has scored nine goals in the Champions League this season and 43 in his career, is Spanish international Jose Maria ‘Guti’ Gutierrez.
Real Madrid did not immediately release details of how long Raul was expected to be out of action but suggestions are that he could be back within three weeks.
Madrid captain Hierro has warned his team-mates not to be lulled into a false sense of complacency ahead of the Old Trafford sell-out.
“The best thing would be for us to imagine the first game had ended in a 0-0 draw because it would be a mistake for us to try and defend our lead,” said Hierro. “We have a good advantage but it could be dangerous if we relax and the ideal thing would be to think we were still at 0-0.
“We are either galactic world-beaters or the lowest of the low. There are no half measures here and everything is magnified.”
The veteran also expressed his satisfaction that Italian Pierluigi Collina will referee the highly-charged game. Collina has been voted the best referee on the planet six times and handled last year’s World Cup final as well as the 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona when United memorably came from behind to beat Bayern Munich of Germany in injury-time.
“He is the best referee in the world and a guarantee,” Hierro said. “He doesn’t give you anything but nor does he take anything away.”
Unsung hero Phil Neville has warned his Manchester United team-mates patience could be the key to ousting holders Madrid.
“Our aim is to keep a clean sheet,” said the United utility man. “Even if there is 20 minutes to go and it’s still 0-0, we will fancy our chances because I have no doubt we can score twice at Old Trafford.
“The big question is whether we can keep them out because Real Madrid have some fantastic forward players.”
Neville is confident that in 38-goal van Nistelrooy, United have a player who can fire them into the last four.
“Ruud is the best in the business,” he said. “It is great to have someone like him in your team. When you are looking for a goal, he is the main man. He has done it consistently now for two years and the amazing thing is he is still getting better.”
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