Real Madrid defend big lead in Champions League

MADRID, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid should have a relatively comfortable task in qualifying for the semifinals of the Champions League when Juventus visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday night.

Madrid defend a 3-0 lead that they took in the first leg of the quarter-final tie and Juventus need to produce a sporting miracle to overturn that deficit in front of the Madrid supporters.

To make matters even more difficult, Italian coach Massimiliano Allegri will be without the suspended Argentinean, Paulo Dybala, who was sent off in the first leg, but is expected to throw caution to the wind with an attacking starting 11 including Gonzalo Higuain, who is making his first return to the Bernabeu since leaving Madrid in 2013.

Mario Mandzukic, Douglas Costa and Juan Cuadrado would complete a very attacking line up, which will face a makeshift home defense.

Sergio Ramos and Nacho Fernandez are out for Madrid, with the former suspended and the latter injured, meaning Jesus Vallejo is working hard to recover from an injury which kept him out of the Madrid derby against Atletico on Sunday.

Vallejo's progress this season has been slowed by a series of muscle injuries, but he should be able to partner Rafael Varene in a back four consisting of Marcelo and Dani Carvajal.

If Vallejo isn't fit, Casemiro would drop back from midfield, with Mateo Kovacic stepping in to accompany Luka Modric and Tony Kroos.

Gareth Bale is again expected to drop to the bench as Karim Benzema and Isco go back into the side for what most believe should be a straightforward 90 minutes for Ziendine Zidane's side in the Bernabeu. Enditem