LONDON, (Reuters) – Real Madrid, Barcelona and improbably Schalke 04 should this week complete the formality of reaching the Champions League semi-finals, with only the Manchester United v Chelsea tie still in the balance. Real, looking for a record-extending 10th European Cup success, take a 4-0 first-leg lead to Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona go to Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 up and Schalke should protect a 5-2 advantage at home to Inter Milan whose reign as champions looks set to end.
Barring the most unlikely of upsets, Real are set to face Barcelona in one semi-final while Schalke will meet the winners of the all-English clash between United and Chelsea.
United begin today’s second leg as strong favourites after a 1-0 win at Chelsea but, as visiting manager Alex Ferguson said after Wayne Rooney’s goal secured last week’s victory, the tie is far from over.
Ferguson’s men are boosted by the knowledge they have not lost a home Champions League match for six years and have conceded only two goals in the competition this season.
“Our biggest advantage is Old Trafford – the fans will be fantastic and there will be an electric atmosphere,” he told reporters.
“We’ve only got a one-goal lead and have to be very careful and give a top performance.”
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, by contrast, is hoping his side can repeat their 2-1 Premier League win at United last season.
“We know it will be difficult to win there,” Ancelotti said, “but we have the confidence to do it. Last year we won at Old Trafford.”
While there will be tension in the air in Manchester, Real can look forward to tomorrow’s match against Spurs at White Hart Lane in a relaxed and confident mood cushioned by a four-goal advantage.
Spurs will be without striker Peter Crouch, suspended after his dismissal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pepe is also banned for Real and the best the Spurs fans can probably hope for is their debut season in the competition does not end in another heavy defeat.
“It has been a great experience so far and I am sure it will be a huge occasion on Wednesday, we will give it our best shot and see what happens,” said Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.
“I am not resigned to defeat yet I am realistic – it couldn’t be more difficult than trying to score five goals against Real Madrid.”
Real coach Jose Mourinho could rest some key players as he eyes a potential semi-final against favourites Barcelona who are also all but through after demolishing Shakhtar 5-1 at the Nou Camp last week.
With Barcelona also due to meet Real in La Liga on April 17 and in the King’s Cup final on April 20, the two Spanish giants will almost certainly be facing each other four times in under three weeks.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola will be unwilling to take too many unnecessary risks against Shakhtar today and the suspension of Andres Iniesta could be seen as a blessing in disguise.
Guardiola is also likely to be without Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal while striker Bojan Krkic is out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury.
Barca and Real rotated their squads on Saturday, in their own styles.
Real called up experienced Brazilian playmaker Kaka as a substitute and he responded with two penalties in a 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.
Barca raided their youth system again and Thiago Alcantara, who turns 20 on Monday, headed the second goal as they fought back to beat Almeria 3-1.
Schalke, who became the first team to score five goals in one match against reigning European champions when they stunned Inter last week, can give their fans a night of celebration tomorrow as they look to reach the semi-finals for the first time.