Fit-again Raul returns for Real’s Italian job

REAL MADRID captain Raul has been given the all-clear to play against Roma in tonight’s Champions League last-16 first leg encounter at the Stadio Olimpico.

Raul sustained a knock to his left thigh during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Real Betis but has recovered and will lead Madrid’s attack alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy.

“Raul is such a strong player,” admitted Roma captain Francesco Totti. “He has scored so many goals and has won everything there is to win.”

Said Real coach Bernd Schuster: “The Roma match is very important and the players will have a lot of motivation for that game, which has nothing to do with this match.”

Roma go into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Juventus at the weekend that severely dented the Giallorossi’s Scudetto ambitions.

“We have complicated our chances in Serie A,” said Roma’s Brazilian winger Mancini.

“Perhaps the Champions League now is our main target but with regards to the domestic competition, we will not give up, we will continue to fight until the end.

“Madrid cannot come too over-confident because they will meet a determined Roma.”

Madrid travel to the Italian capital having to do without Robinho, Wesley Sneijder, Marcelo and Christoph Metzelder — all through injury.

But Gabriel Heinze will partner Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro at the heart of defence, after an injury lay off.

Meanwhile, Schalke coach Mirko Slomka will read the riot act to his team before tonight’s clash with Porto.

The Royal Blues boss was far from happy with his side’s 2-1 defeat at home to Wolfsburg on Friday night.

That result halted their charge back into the Bundesliga title race and left Slomka seething at yet another missed opportunity.

“We had enough chances to win two games,” bemoaned Slomka after Friday night’s setback.

“We have now got to get tough with the team and increase the pressure on them.”

Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi bore the brunt of Slomka’s criticism after missing three gilt-edged chances to put the game beyond the Wolves when Schalke led 1-0.

“After a game like this, of course he is in the firing line, but he has to get through it,” he said.

Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira named 19 players for the trip to Gelsenkirchen yesterday with the injured Bolatti staying behind.

Bosingwa has also been left out after failing to recover from the adductor problem which forced him to miss Portugal’s friendly with Italy earlier this month.