Figo facing up to crunch

By Manfred Christoph in Dortmund

The entry of Luis Figo is always marked by tension. All the more so for a UEFA Champions League match, and especially so for a crucial away tie. Real Madrid CF currently lead BV Borussia Dortmund by a point and whoever comes out on top in the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday will have taken a crucial step towards the quarter-finals.

Tense times
As Figo takes the lift up to meet the media, his studs nervously scrape the floor. This is a nervous time for him too: for Madrid to miss out on the last eight would be unthinkable. In the press-room, the atmosphere is tense. Even journalists are in awe of the Portuguese midfield player. Figo enters, his brow creased by frowns, and the air is lit up by a hundred flash-bulbs.

Victory critical
He is asked whether this game is a matter of prestige. "No," he says. "For us it is very, very important to win. We know that we are playing against a big club with a big structure and great potential - it won't be easy." Figo is focused and self-confident: he gives off an air of sovereignty without seeming arrogant. "You can't say that it is a key match," he continues. "Who wins, shall win."

The Lehmann incident
Figo becomes more relaxed when he is asked about the incident on Saturday when Dortmund goalkeeper Jens Lehmann raced from his goal to abuse team-mate Marcio Amoroso. What would he have done in the Brazilian's place? "I would have knocked him down," he says with a smile. Lehmann is almost 2m tall. "This is not the first time in football that such a thing has happened. Let's see what happens on Tuesday."

Very fit
Figo missed Madrid's 3-1 victory over Real Valladolid at the weekend through suspension, but he insists he is feeling sharper than ever. "I feel fine and against Borussia I want to perform at a high level," he said. "Personally I feel very fit."

A top team
Zinedine Zidane should also be in the Madrid starting lineup after coming through training despite foot and back problems. Figo believes Madrid may need him. "Dortmund are a top team," he said. "At the back and going forward they have some very good players, but that suits us."

Tourist attraction
As Figo departs, there are more flashes, many from journalists taking snaps on their mobile phones as though Figo were a tourist attraction. On Tuesday, though, he will rise above mere specatacle. On Tuesday, it will be for real.