Victory can restore Real pride says Ramos

(GETTY IMAGES)

Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos is confident his players will rise to the challenge of facing Liverpool as they look to restore some European pride to the club.

The Spanish champions must overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit at Anfield tonight if they are to reach the last eight of the Champions League.

But with the nine-time European champions not featuring in the final of the competition for seven years, Ramos is confident they can bounce back against the Reds and restore some pride to the Real Madrid name.

"This game requires a fine performance and if we do turn this result around it will restore some of the club's prestige in this tournament," he said.

"I hope that we can achieve such a result and take the club closer to another final.

"The first leg was a real tactical battle, but we are only halfway through, we are confident we can turn things around and reverse the deficit.”

Meanwhile, Valencia striker David Villa has been ruled out for two weeks with a knee problem.

The club's 19-goal top scorer missed last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Numancia with inflammation of his left knee.

Scans have subsequently revealed a partial dislocation of the joint and the club's medical staff expect him to be sidelined for 15 days.

The news comes as a blow to Los Che as they are currently eighth in the La Liga table and six points adrift of the Champions League qualifying places.