European giants Real Madrid and Juventus renew hostilities in this potentially explosive tie.

Both sides come into the game in indifferent form with Juventus having won just one of their last four games, while Real were humbled 2-0 by Athletic Bilbao last weekend.

Real will hoping to take advantage of playing at home first as they look to avenge their semi-final defeat to Juventus in 2003.

The Spanish side are set to recall former Juve star Zinedine Zidane, Raul and Ronaldo after they were rested against Bilbao at the weekend. Michel Salgado is expected to shake off a thigh problem to play and although long-term absentee Jonathan Woodgate has returned to light training he is some way off making a return to action.

This first knockout round encounter is Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s first Champions League game, the Brazilian having replaced Mariano García Remón as coach during the winter break.

“I have lots of videos of them and have been to see them in Turin,” said Luxemburgo, whose own team suffered a 2-0 home defeat by Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday.

“We know they are a great side, Zlatan Ibrahimovic in particular is one of their star players. We know it will be a game like no other.”

Juventus coach Fabio Capello, who coached Madrid in 1996/97, sounded positive at his press conference, but regarding Pavel Nedved, who is nursing a knee injury, he remained non-committal.

“Pavel will train as normal and we will assess his situation after that,” Capello said.

Striker David Trezeguet is not so fortunate, having stayed at home with flu. In Trezeguet’s absence Alessandro Del Piero is set to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack.

“Madrid lost on Saturday because four of their star players were absent; on Tuesday they will be playing so that result will have no bearing on this game,” continued Capello, who saw Juve draw 0-0 at Messina at the weekend.

“The same applies to us, and whatever our recent league form, this is the Champions League, a different competition and one that is very important to us. We must forget about our domestic form and think only of Tuesday’s game.”

Paolo Montero and Olivier Kapo are also absent through injury for the Bianconeri.