Real Madrid goes for the victory in Europe

Good times in the Champions League. Real Madrid have a greta chance to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League when they face Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday despite a shaky start to their European campaign under new coach Fabio Capello.

Indeed, Madrid suffered a 2-0 defeat at Olympique Lyon in their opening match in Group E but won emphatically against Dynamo Kiev and Steaua.

Another victory against the Romanians will put them through to the knockout stage as long as Dynamo, who have yet to earn a point, do not beat runaway leaders Lyon.

Capello's team may not have been playing the sort of fluent, flowing football their fans demand but they have developed a more gritty, pragmatic style under the Italian coach and are getting the results.

They netted nine goals against Dynamo and Steaua, beat Barca 2-0 in the league two weeks ago and are now just two points behind their arch-rivals.

We must remember that the team have conceded four goals in eight league games and the team are growing in confidence according to Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos.

“It's obvious that Capello has brought with him a different, more modern mentality,” Roberto Carlos expressed. “We are no longer the team that passes the ball slowly round the pitch. We are more direct and we know what we have to do.”