Aurélio expects Madrid to bide their time

Liverpool FC full-back Fábio Aurélio does not expect to face an attacking onslaught from Real Madrid CF as the Anfield club defend a 1-0 lead in the home leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie.

Patience
The former Valencia CF player knows that Liverpool are favourites to progress after Yossi Benayoun's headed winner in the Spanish capital a fortnight ago, but he does not envisage Madrid chasing an equaliser from the kick-off at Anfield. "I think that we worked really hard [in the first leg] and we were tactically sound," said Aurélio. "Defensively we were superb and we managed to hit Madrid on the counterattack. To a certain extent, it will be a slightly different game to the one in the Bernabéu. They might come and see what happens in the first few minutes but I don't think they will go all out for goals. They will want to see how Liverpool play and that's the sort of Madrid that we will face. If we can score a goal tomorrow, they will be more open."

'Big challenge'
With a make-or-break match away to English Premier League leaders Manchester United FC to come on Saturday, Aurélio recognises that this is a defining point in Liverpool's season, yet he insists his team-mates, fresh from a weekend off, are not feeling any extra pressure. The Brazilian said: "It's always a big challenge and a brilliant game to be involved in when you are in the Champions League, especially against a team like Madrid. We have some important games coming up but Liverpool are a big club and we expect to be involved in this kind of situation and we are ready for that. We have had a full week to prepare for this game so we are really focused on what we have to do."

Riera missing
Several of the 29-year-old's colleagues face late fitness tests before Tuesday's game, most notably striker Fernando Torres, but Aurélio will definitely not have suspended winger Albert Riera for company down the left flank. "For sure we will miss Albert, he is a valuable player," Aurélio said. "But we have a big squad and other players can step in in the absence of Albert – they are anxious to do their best for the team and they will help like he has been doing."