Real Madrid receive boost ahead of Borussia Dortmund tie

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has eased Real Madrid’s injury concerns and could be fit to play in their Champions League match at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, coach Zinedine Zidane said.

Real are already without injured Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Mateo Kovacic but Kroos is back in the squad after sitting out their 2-1 weekend win over Alaves in La Liga due to a rib injury.

‘Toni Kroos is a very important player for us,’ Zidane told reporters on Monday. ‘He is looking good. We will see tomorrow if he is fit for the game.’

Ronaldo (centre) in training ahead of their second group game against Borussia Dortmund 

Real have never won in Dortmund before, having lost three of six matches and drawn the other three. They are under additional pressure after their lacklustre start in the league, lying fifth on 11 points with rivals Barcelona top on 18.

‘We are looking forward to playing in the Champions League in a very nice stadium, where you can breathe the Champions League,’ the Frenchman said.

‘It is difficult to play everywhere, but it is true that we have never won here. It is a challenge for us.’

The European champions were 3-0 winners against APOEL Nicosia in their group opener, but will need to improve their finishing against their tougher German opponents, Zidane added.

Coach Zinedine Zidane (centre) joins in with a small sided game at Real Madrid training 

Madrid won their Champions League opener against Apoel 3-0 at the Bernabeu Stadium

Kross was rested for his side’s latest La Liga match against Alaves with a rib injury 

Gareth Bale stretches ahead of Tuesday’s match as the Welshman remains under pressure 

Bundesliga leaders Dortmund, who lost their opening group match at Tottenham, have scored 19 goals in six league games, conceding just one. Real have netted 11 times in their six La Liga games, letting in six.

‘I hope our strikers will score again,’ Zidane said. ‘But I have always maintained that it is the most important thing to create chances.

‘We cannot be pleased with the amount of opportunities we have created lately. I believe in my players. But you have to show it every three days that you want to win the game. It is not always working out the way you want it to.’ 

Ronaldo (right) goes in hard as the Madrid players look relaxed in their training session 

Madrid will be without Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Mateo Kovacic for the Dortmund tie 

Los Bloncos have never won away at Dortmund in six games playing against the Germans

Zidane (left) has urged his strikers to be more lethal with their chances to finish off the game