Schuster desperate to leap Roma hurdle

Bernd Schuster admits he is desperate to prolong his debut UEFA Champions League campaign as a coach, as Real Madrid CF attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit against AS Roma in the Spanish capital tonight.

No changes
Schuster missed out in 2003/04 qualifying with FC Shakhtar Donestsk, but has three home wins from three with Madrid this season and wants that run to continue in the first knockout round decider. "I'm enjoying it so much and I want to enjoy it even more," the 48-year-old German said. "I'll be disappointed not to go through." Although his side were beaten in Rome two weeks ago, and have fallen at this hurdle for the last three years, he is not planning changes. "I think the recipe will be the same," Schuster continued. "We were short in terms of our finishing and lost by the smallest of margins. We need good movement of the ball and for every player to know his position. In the first leg we saw a great match and I hope Wednesday will be the same."

Injuries
Ruud van Nistelrooy has failed to recover from an ankle injury while Sergio Ramos is suspended. Christoph Metzelder's foot problem, Wesley Sneijder's broken rib and Javier Saviola's injured ankle and knee keep them out, meanwhile. "When one player isn't available, another one is," their coach said. "It's true I would have liked to have been able to count on Sergio Ramos for a game like this, but it's not to be. I will have all the confidence in the world in the team I put out against Roma." The return of Guti, as well as Pepe and Robinho - who sat out the first leg - is better news for Los Merengues.

Team game
Madrid go into the game on the back of a Primera División win at RC Recreativo de Huelva which ended a run of three straight defeats, including the Roma reverse. Robinho came off the bench to score twice in a 3-2 triumph yet Schuster warns that individual brilliance will be insufficient against the Giallorossi. "I don't think a great display from Robinho is going to be enough," he said. "The team will have to function perfectly. The side who make the fewer mistakes are going to qualify for the next round. Robinho, along with everyone else, will have to be at their best."

Calm called for
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, meanwhile, just wants his players to keep calm with the quarter-finals in sight following their Stadio Olimpico success. "We're fully focused and know that Wednesday's match will be played against one of the biggest teams in the world," he said. "When it comes to tense situations, we're actually very calm. Nerves only bring bad vibes which is something we suffered from when we lost to Juventus recently."

Decisive encounter
The club from the Italian capital have a decent record against Madrid with a victory, a draw and a defeat from their last three visits to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. They travel without defender Marco Cassetti who has a dislocated shoulder. However, Juan has overcome a foot injury while Philippe Mexes and Simone Perrotta are back in the squad having skipped the 4-0 weekend defeat of Parma FC. Spalletti said: "Playing well can bring out the best in our players and unity is what will be important. I hope we will play at our best and, if we're going to make mistakes, I hope they will be minor ones."