Ronaldo expected to return for Champions League semis

Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit to take his place in the Real Madrid side to face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal Wednesday night.

The Portuguese striker has recovered from the knee and hamstring problems which have troubled him since the first leg of the quarterfinal and after completing a full training session Monday, reports Xinhua.

The game sees former Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola return to Madrid, all be it as the coach of the side which has already been crowned as German champions after an all-conquering campaign and Bayern are favourites to reach the final yet again.

Bayern have a good record against Real Madrid in the Champions League and will be cheered on by 5,000 supporters at the Bernabeu, hoping for a repeat of the semifinal two years ago when they defeated Real Madrid on penalties at the semifinal stage.

Left back Marcelo should also be fit for Real Madrid after also overcoming an injury problem which sidelined him in the final of the King's Cup a week ago. However, there is a slight doubt over Gareth Bale, who was suffering from flu Monday, although he should be able to play Wednesday.

Ronaldo's return will be welcomed by Real Madrid fans, but it will have a negative effect on Bale, who has performed well on the left wing in his absence. Bale scored the winning goal against Barcelona last Wednesday with a galloping run down the left, but will have to move back to the right wing, where the effect of his electric pace is sometimes lost as he has to cut inside to try and bring the ball onto his favoured left foot.

Meanwhile Isco, who has also performed well in recent games, will be the player to make way for Ronaldo's return.

Two Real Madrid players, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos will have to be careful Wednesday given that both are a booking from a suspension which would see them miss next week's return game in Germany.