Therefore much has been discussing last week's frustrating advantages by German clubs over their Spanish counterparts in the Champions League semi-finals that neutral observers could be forgiven for thinking Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich only had to arrive for the second leg to qualify. But foregone conclusions are not some thing the Germans consider - and both Dortmund and Bayern is going to be only too conscious of the issues of complacency. And in reality, despite the extraordinary scorelines - 4-1 for Dortmund against Real Madrid and a 4-0 for Bayern over Barcelona - there's no cause for German celebration until at least another 90 minutes' soccer has been played out. First up is Real v Borussia on Tuesday night, and though Dortmund have the psychological advantage of having taken four points off the Spaniards in the group matches earlier in the opposition, one easy issue has been neglected in all the nonsense about their first leg victory. The away goal Real mustered is concerned by that in the Ruhr, which may yet be their lifeline to qualification for the final. Using their backs to the wall and playing for instructor Jose Mourinho to carry onto his job as much as for personal beauty, Real are perfectly effective at knocking in three objectives without response in front of their very own fanatical group, who will probably be baying for blood from the kick-off. Much depends on the exercise, or otherwise, of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. No-one is suggesting Real certainly are a one-man team, but Ronaldo is vital to the way they function and the leg damage he picked up in Dortmund could however restrict him to a cameo role in the second leg. Undoubtedly, Real beat Atletico 2-1 in the Madrid derby without him and a host of first-team regulars, rested with Tuesday in view, but the fears that he might not be completely fit are not being voiced in the Spanish capital. Angel Di Maria, who scored the success after his free end was changed into their own net by Juanfran for an, commented: "Winning today gives us extra motivation for Tuesday, which we hope could have the perfect outcome." Dortmund also won 2-1 away on Saturday, at near neighbors Fortuna Duesseldorf, but relaxed 10 of the medial side that beat Real, including four-goal hero Robert Lewandowski for several but the past 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Bayern, who also made 10 changes from along side it which slaughtered Barcelona, managed a 1-0 make an impression on Freiburg to break the record number of items for a Bundesliga season. Barca, of course, have already shown themselves capable of putting four without reply past split European competitors, as they did in the quarter-final against AC Milan to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. And, even though the mercurial Lionel Messi is less than completely healthy, it's generally believed Barca can not play so defectively, or look so slack at the back because they did in Munich. Messi, but, did come with their relief in the 2-2 sketch at Athletic Bilbao, coming on as a second half alternative to score a brilliant personal goal and create Alexis Sanchez for a second goal. But even if they were to report four, all but their most devoted fan could have to fancy Bayern to nick an away goal at the Nou Camp, especially considering their extensive demolition of another of the continent's principal edges, Juventus, who they beat 2-0 both house and away to advance to the last four. There clearly was actually little signal to be gleaned from the weekend activity as to as all protagonists rested crucial participants in front of the vital midweek matches what might be coming up. But with form and first leg ratings taken into account, London's Wembley Stadium, area for the final on May 25, can probably make for an attack of the massed ranks of German supporters from Bavaria and the Ruhr as Bayern and Borussia do battle for the title of Europe's greatest.
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