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Real confident of overturning semis deficit vs Bayern
Real Madrid look like being crowned kings of Spain but need to overturn a 2-1 Champions League semi-final first leg deficit against Bayern Munich on Wednesday to continue dreaming of European glory.
Coach Jose Mourinho was lured to one of the world's richest clubs to build a dynasty that would end Barcelona's pre-eminence and he struck what could be a decisive blow in La Liga's title race with a 2-1 victory over the champions at the Nou Camp on Saturday.
With a seven-point lead at the top of La Liga and four matches left, Real now divert their aim to Barca's European crown.
Mourinho's team will need to replicate the defensive rigour and clinical finishing that did for Barca if they are to reach next month's Champions League final in Munich.
Normally outspoken and provocative, Mourinho has recently shunned several news conferences, leaving number two Aitor Karanka to handle the media with anodyne responses.
The rules of European soccer's governing body UEFA dictate the head coach must speak to the media before the home game against Bayern.
'We have taken a big step forward'
However, the lack of controversy seems to have benefited his team, particularly ahead of the 'Clasico', which they won for only the second time in 11 attempts with Mourinho at the helm.
"We were able to rid ourselves of the pressure we felt in previous encounters," Real captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas told reporters.
"We have taken a big step forward. We aren't the finished article yet but we have given ourselves a big lift for the upcoming games."
Ronaldo delivers
Leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo displayed less of the petulance that has contributed to his failure to deliver on big occasions in the past and broke away to grab the winner against Barca, his 54th goal in all competitions this season.
With Ronaldo working better as a team player, Real are confident they can maintain a 100 percent home record in this season's competition and edge closer to a record 10th European Cup victory.
That could involve having to beat Barca again in the final if Pep Guardiola's side overcome a 1-0 deficit at home to Chelsea in the other semi-final second leg on Tuesday.
Mourinho's third successive Champions League semis
Mourinho, in his third successive Champions League semi-final, is eyeing a third triumph in Europe's elite club competition after his victories with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, the latter after a 2-0 final win over Bayern at the Bernabeu.
His opposite number on Wednesday, the hugely experienced Jupp Heynckes, also knows the Spanish capital well having led Real to European Cup glory in 1998.
Bayern, who have won three out of four semi-finals against Real, have a slender advantage thanks to Mario Gomez's late strike in the first leg and arrive boosted after Franck Ribery grabbed a stoppage-time winner at Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Morale boost
Hours later Borussia Dortmund sealed a second consecutive Bundesliga title that killed off any lingering hopes of an unprecedented German treble for the Bavarians.
The win over Werder was the perfect dress rehearsal if they are to achieve the ambition of playing in the Champions League final in their own stadium on May 19.
"Now we can travel to Madrid with confidence to tackle the biggest of challenges," said former West Germany international Heynckes who will have a full squad to choose from.
"The team showed in the first leg we can play at the same level with them and we go to Madrid with a lot of confidence because we are in a position to score away from home. I am optimistic and so are my players."
According to media reports Bayern wingers Ribery and Arjen Robben were involved in a row a week earlier - but a handshake on Saturday looked to have sealed a reconciliation at just the right time.
Frenchman Ribery has even more motivation to reach the final after missing out in 2010 due to suspension.
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