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Sunday, May 1, 2011

Historic positive precedent

Jose Mourinho's team needs to win 2-0 at Camp Nou on Tuesday in order to at least draw the aggregate score in the UCL semifinals. The Whites accomplished this feat in the 2001/02 edition of the tournament thanks to goals from Zidane and McManaman. They went on to win the final against Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park, taking their ninth European Cup title.

Everyone agrees it will be difficult, but no one gives up hope. The only difference with the situation they were in nine years ago is that the match in Barcelona was then the first leg of the semifinals as opposed to the return.

Zidane's goal came in the 10th minute and McManaman's in injury time. Barcelona and Real Madrid drew 1-1 in the Bernabeu return leg, meaning the Camp Nou victory was really what clinched them a spot in the final.

This historic precedent is just what Real Madrid need to have even greater faith in their chances on Tuesday. Their only intention is to defeat Barcelona at Camp Nou to reach the 28 May Wembley final, where they would try to win their tenth European Cup trophy.

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